San Francisco Frontiers - Stocks mixed, precious metals slip in quiet Asian trade

Markets looked set to end the last few days of the year on a positive note, helped by hopes for more US interest rate cuts and optimism that the tech-led rally still has more legs.

While the US central bank lowered borrowing costs earlier in December as expected, it also indicated it could stand pat when decision-makers gather again at the end of next month, with two voting against any move and one calling for a bigger reduction.

The minutes from the meeting are due to be released on Tuesday and traders will be poring over their contents for any indication about its plans for 2026.

The prospect of cuts has helped push world markets ever higher this year, offsetting niggling worries about stretched valuations in the tech sector.

On Monday, shares in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Wellington, Mumbai and Bangkok slipped while those in Singapore, Seoul, Taipei and Manila edged up. Shanghai was marginally higher.

On commodities markets, gold and silver slipped after hitting new records in recent days.

The precious metals have also enjoyed strong buying, with gold and silver both hitting record highs on expectations for more rate cuts, which makes them more desirable to investors.

Their status as a safe haven asset in times of turmoil has also added to their allure amid geopolitical upheaval with US strikes in Nigeria and a blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers.

On Monday gold was sitting around $4,450, having peaked a whisker shy of $4,550 on Friday, while silver slipped to $77.50 after touching a record above $80.

The white metal has also seen a sharp run-up in recent weeks owing to surging demand and tight supply.

"We are witnessing a generational bubble playing out in silver," wrote Tony Sycamore at IG.

"Relentless industrial demand from solar panels, EVs, AI data centres and electronics, pushing against depleting inventories, has driven physical premiums to extremes."

Oil prices rose, having sunk more than two percent Friday as investors eyed the weekend meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on peace proposals.

Trump said Sunday a deal was closer than ever to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine but reported no apparent breakthrough on the issue of territory.

The US president said it would become clear within weeks whether it was possible to end the nearly four-year-long war that has killed tens of thousands.

- Key figures at around 0700 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 50,526.92 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,688.89

Shanghai - Composite: FLAT at 3,965.28 (close)

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 156.29 yen from 156.50 yen on Friday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1762 from $1.1776

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3494 from $1.3501

Euro/pound: DOWN at 87.18 pence from 87.21 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $57.38 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $61.30 per barrel

New York - Dow: FLAT at 48,710.97 (close)

U.Campbell--SFF