Asian stock markets close higher on Wednesday

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) – Most of the major Asian stock markets, excluding India, closed the midweek with increases.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, gained 0.32% to hit 3,542.35 points as of GMT1006.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 earned 0.35% to 27,395.01 points, while India's Sensex benchmark dropped 1.27% to close at 60,205.06.

Singapore's index was up 1.29% to reach 3,352.77 at close.

Due to the Chinese New Year, indexes will be closed in China throughout the week, and Hong Kong was closed from Monday to Wednesday.