Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,793.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,913.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.30 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,833.32 an ounce.