Asian shares gain, silver declines from peak

Global stocks were close to record highs while silver hit a fresh record high before turning lower.

A gauge of Asian shares increased 0.2% in early trade, while US stock futures remained steady post the S&P 500 finishing near a record high on Friday. Silver surged 6%, crossing $80 an ounce for the first time ever, before it reversed its gains and declined over 2%.

Precious metals have emerged as a hot corner of financial markets in recent months, boosted by elevated central-bank purchases, inflows to exchange-traded funds and three successive rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Lower borrowing costs are a tailwind for the commodities, which don’t pay interest, and traders are betting on more rate cuts in 2026.

Gold and platinum also jumped to records on Friday before bullion headed lower on Monday.

The MSCI All Country World Index — one of the broadest measures

of the equity market — was little changed after climbing 1.4% last week to finish at a new all-time high as a much-expected year-end equities rally took hold. The gauge has risen nearly 22% in 2025, headed for a third straight annual gain and the biggest since 2019.

Trends in AI, the key driver of this year’s rally, as well as the path of the Federal Reserve’s interest rates are seen by investors as two of the most crucial factors that will determine how global stocks perform in 2026.

“The focus this week will be on the release of the FOMC minutes” from the Fed’s December meeting, according to Sycamore. “Markets will scour the minutes for deeper insights into the committee debates on the balance of risks and the timing of future easing.”

In Asia, Chinese markets will be in focus after the nation pledged to broaden its fiscal spending base in 2026, signaling sustained government support to drive growth in a challenging external environment.

Data over the weekend showed China’s industrial profits fell for a second month in November, adding to signs that weakening domestic demand and persistent deflation are weighing on corporate earnings.

Geopolitics is also in focus at the start of a new week. Donald Trump said he made “a lot of progress” in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as the US president pushes for a peace deal to end Russia’s invasion.

Elsewhere, oil ticked higher on prospects for improved Chinese demand while Bitcoin also advanced.

Action in bonds was muted on Friday, with Treasuries set for a monthly loss, yet on pace for their best year since 2020 after three Fed rate cuts. The dollar churned at the end of its worst week since June.

With inputs from Bloomberg

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