Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained just over one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,669.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,181.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.58 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,803.07 an ounce.