Asia markets edge up as precious metals surge

Silver reached $75 an ounce for the first time and gold continued to hover around its own record price, with geopolitical risk elevated as US military and economic pressure on Venezuela persists. Regional markets extended their upward rise after Wall Street saw US shares close at a high this week. Most markets across the world were shuttered Thursday for Christmas. Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei all rose by closing time on Friday. Markets in Hong Kong, Australia and most of Europe were closed.