Major Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost nearly two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,591.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up half a percent to finish the day's trading at 19,710.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.13 yen, a gain of nearly one-quarter of a yen from Monday.

Gold is trading at $1,889.63 an ounce.