Asian markets went into the Christmas break on Wednesday with mostly light gains as investors struggled to track a record day on Wall Street fuelled by forecast-topping US economic data.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index was 44 points, or 0.17 percent, up at 25,818 while the Hang Seng Tech Index was up 10 points, or 0.19 percent, at 5,499. The China Enterprises Index crept up just over one point, or 0.01 percent, to 8,915.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ended close to 21 points, or 0.53 percent, higher at 3,940 while the Shenzhen Component Index was 117 points, or 0.88 percent, up at 13,486. The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, put on 24 points, or 0.77 percent, to hit 3,229.

Trading in Asia was thin, with many global markets due to be closed Thursday for Christmas. US markets will end early on Christmas Eve and stay closed for Christmas.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 68 points, or 0.1 percent, to 50,344 while South Korea's Kospi slipped nine points, or 0.21 percent to 4,108. (AP/Xinhua)