Most Asian stock closed higher on yesterday's U.S. new home sales. New home sales in the U.S. rose 18.0% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 504,000 units in August, up from 427,000 units in July. That was the highest level since May 2008.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was dragged down by casino operators.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 16,374.14 +206.69 +1.28%

Hang Seng 23,768.13 -153.48 -0.64%

Shanghai Composite 2,345.1 +1.53 +0.07%