Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,944.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slumped more than one and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 20,016.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.62 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,806.15 an ounce.