Major Asian stock markets closed lower Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost just over one and one-half percent to finish at 8,742.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index plunged nearly four and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 18,076.

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

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.66 yen, a loss of more than one-fourth of a yen from Monday.

Gold is trading at $1,659.13 an ounce.