Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained a fraction of one percent to finish at 8,616.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost more than six-tenths of one percent to finish the day's trading at 18,011.

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

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.41 yen, a loss of four-tenths of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,655.98 an ounce.