06:57 AM EDT, 10/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets ended mostly lower Wednesday, excluding Japan, as traders weighed China's economic outlook and awaited fresh catalysts.

Hong Kong and Shanghai lost ground, while Tokyo finished in the green. Other regional exchanges declined.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and rallied, finishing up 1% on strength in tech issues, and the outlook for no rate hike from the Bank of Japan at this week's meeting.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 373.11 to 39,277.39, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 162 to 59.

Leading the upside was semiconductor manufacturing equipment maker Disco, up 11.2%, while Sumitomo Pharma declined 13.4%.

In economic news, the Bank of Japan started a two-day policy meeting but is not expected to raise rates, given recent statements by central bank officials.

Also, the seasonally adjusted Japan Consumer Confidence Index in October logged at 36.2, down from 36.9 in September, reported the Cabinet Office.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and declined to the close, finishing off 1.6% on mixed earnings results, and traders awaited clarity regarding macroeconomic stimulus measures from the National People's Congress session, slated for next week in Beijing.

The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 320.50 to 20,380.64, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 75 to 7. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 2.4% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index was steady.

Leading the upside was pork producer WH, gaining 1.6%, while Hansoh Pharmaceuticals declined 10.5%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.6% to 3,266.24.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 0.0%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.5%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.8%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.9%, and the Thai Set declined 0.3%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.5%.