Asia-Pacific markets set to trade mixed as investors kick off final trading week of 2025

Market Overview - Asia-Pacific markets exhibited mixed trading patterns as the final trading week of the year commenced, with Japan's Nikkei 225 declining by 0.55% and the Topix falling by 0.26% [1] - In contrast, South Korea's Kospi increased by 0.62%, and the Kosdaq index saw a rise of 0.19% [1] - Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were slightly lower at 25,810 compared to the last close of 25,818.93 [1] Silver Market Insights - Spot silver prices reached a record high of over $80 per ounce, driven by speculative buying and ongoing supply tightness [2] - Sprott Asset Management noted that the silver rally this year is attributed to a depletion of freely traded inventory, which has intensified price movements as demand rises [2] - The favorable macro-outlook for 2026, characterized by lower interest rates and a potentially weaker U.S. dollar, is enhancing the attractiveness of hard assets like silver [3]