Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index fell one-half of one percent to finish at 10,047.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost one-tenth of one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,542.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.71 yen, a loss of just over one-fourth of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,620.45 an ounce.