Gold prices hit fresh highs on Wednesday and bitcoin came close to hitting its record high as traders responded to geopolitical uncertainty and the prospect of a Donald Trump victory in the US election.
Gold gained 0.2 per cent to $2,781.5 per troy ounce. Bitcoin, the most traded cryptocurrency, edged up 0.1 per cent to $72,345, close to its March all-time high of $73,803.
In the US the Nasdaq Composite closed on Wednesday at a record high ahead of results from several technology companies. Shares at Alphabet rose 5 per cent after the company reported strong earnings growth.
Equities in Asia were mixed with Chinese stocks dropping and Japan’s Topix adding 1 per cent in early trading.