Platinum prices tilted higher during the Asian session on Friday, to continue rebounding from the lowest since August 28 for for the seventh session in 9, shrugging off the US dollar's rebound from its lowest since November 5 for the sixth straight session, despite the inverse relation between them, ahead of US Fed Governor Jerome Powell's speech at Rhode Island, amid the recent developments in the US-China trade file. 

Platinum rose by 0.48% to $896.10 an ounce as of 05:17 GMT, after opening at $891.80, while the US dollar index rose by 0.1% to 98.27 after it opened at 98.26. 

The US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said on Saturday that a trade agreement with China can be secured before the end of this year, while investors are parsing the odds for Washington to freeze its upcoming $156 billion tariffs hike on Chinese goods by December 15.

While China announced it will raise penalties on intellectual property violations, in the latest sign that renewed hopes for easing the trade dispute, and the US President Donald Trump noted on Friday that a trade deal is "very close."

Gold futures tilted higher during the Asian session on Friday, shrugging off the US dollar's rebound from its lowest since November 5 for the sixth straight session, despite the inverse relation between them, ahead of US Fed Governor Jerome Powell's speech at Rhode Island, amid the recent developments in Hong Kong and the US-China trade file. 

Gold futures for December delivery rose by 0.04% to $1,468.10 an ounce as of 04:58 GMT, after opening at $1,467.50, the futures gaped lower after closing yesterday at $1,470.50, while the US dollar index rose by 0.1% to 98.27 after it opened at 98.26. 

Hong Kong's District Council elections concluded on Sunday, which saw a stunning victory for pro-democracy candidates after voters turned out in record numbers, according to Reuters, which came after the recent protests that shook the city. 

As for developments in the US-China trade file, the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said on Saturday that a trade agreement with China can be secured before the end of this year, while investors are parsing the odds for Washington to freeze its upcoming $156 billion tariffs hike on Chinese goods by December 15.

Adviser O'Brien also stressed that the US will not condone the situation in Hong Kong, while China announced it will raise penalties on intellectual property violations, in the latest sign on easing the trade dispute, as the US President Donald Trump noted on Friday that a trade deal is "very close."

Asian stocks opened on the positive territory at the first session of the week, after the end of Hong Kong's District Council elections, which a stunning victory for pro-democracy candidates after voters turned out in record numbers, according to Reuters, which came after the recent protests that shook the city.

As for developments in the US-China trade file, the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien said on Saturday that a trade agreement with China can be secured before the end of this year, while investors are parsing the odds for Washington to freeze its upcoming $156 billion tariffs hike on Chinese goods by December 15.

Adviser O'Brien also stressed that the US will not condone the situation in Hong Kong, while China announced it will raise penalties on intellectual property violations, in the latest sign on easing the trade dispute, as the US President Donald Trump noted on Friday that a trade deal is "very close."

As for stocks, Japanese stock indices were higher during today's session, with the Topix index rising by 0.78% or 13.16 points to 1,704.50, and Nikkei 225 index rose by 0.29% or 213.73 points to 23,326.61.

The Chinese stocks also rose, as the CSI 300 index rose by 0.24% or 9.05 points to 3,859.04, and the Shanghai Composite index rose by 0.29% or 8.45 points to 2,893.74.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose by 1.75% or 465.27 points to 27,060.35, and the South Korean Kospi rose 1.08 % or 22.65 points to 2,124.61.

To Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index, which rose 0.36% or 23.92 points to 6,733.70, while New Zealand's NZX 50 rose by 0.07% or 7.55 points to 10,953.85.

Soybean prices fell on Friday, and closed below the $9 barrier for first time in 2 months on forecasts for improving weather in South America, in addition to the lingering uncertainty over the US-China trade talks.

Soybean futures fell for the third straight session, after forecasts of widespread rainfall which favours crops in Brazil (the world's largest soy exporter), and Argentina (the world's third largest).

These improved crops conditions in Brazil and Argentina, indicates an increase in global supply, which puts pressure on prices.

Furthermore, despite positive trade remarks by President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, there are still concerns the two countries ability to secure a final trade deal.

Bearing in mind that China is the largest importer of soybean and corn from the US, and news emerged that the first phase trade deal between them might get postponed until 2020.

On the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), soybeans January's futures lost 0.5% or 6 cents to $8.97 per bushel, and hit a session-high of $9.03 and a low of $8.95.