Asian stock markets close Thursday mixed

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major stock exchanges in Asia closed mixed on Thursday.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was almost flat by adding just 1 point, or 0.03%, to 3,345 at 0950 GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange decreased almost 73 points, or 0.27%, to 26,604 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, fell 55 points, or 0.27%, to 20,116.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange increased 15 points, or 0.5%, to close at 3,123 points.

The Indian Sensex benchmark was the best performer of the day, soaring 501 points, or 0.93%, to end the day at 54,248 points.

The Singapore index rose 29 points, or 0.93%, to finish at 3,209 points.