New Delhi, Dec. 28 -- Global markets were mostly subdued on December 26 amid thin trading, as several major exchanges remain closed for Boxing Day, resulting in fragmented activity across regions.

With markets in Australia, Hong Kong, and much of Europe shut after the Christmas break, investor participation dropped sharply, even as a few Asian markets stay open and try to stage a late-year rally on low volumes.

Major U.S. equity benchmarks ended Friday's session close to record highs, largely flat in subdued post-Christmas trade, while hopes of Federal Reserve rate cuts and safe-haven demand lifted precious metals to fresh all-time peaks.

Asia-Pacific markets ended higher on Friday, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed 0.68% to finish ...