Gold prices climbed on Friday, putting the metal on track for its strongest weekly performance in a month as markets contended with uncertainty linked to a backlog of economic data following the US government’s six-week shutdown.

Australian shares closed lower on Thursday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s legislation to end the U.S. government shutdown.

Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday after U.S. stocks remained close to record highs, News.Az reports, citing AP.

US stock futures edged higher late Wednesday as investors welcomed progress toward ending the longest government shutdown in the country's history.

Seoul’s stock market closed higher on Wednesday for the third consecutive session, supported by reduced worries over the longest U.S. government shutdown in history.