Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,741.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost one percent to finish the day's trading at 18,824.

Share prices were higher in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Taipei, but lower in Jakarta, Mumbai and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.30 yen, a loss one-fourth of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,809.98 an ounce.