Asian stocks have closed mostly higher, while the dollar eased as investors braced for a possible shutdown of the US government, which could in turn delay publication of the September payrolls report and a raft of other key data.

Gold roared to another high, powered by the dip in the dollar.

President Donald Trump will meet with the top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress later on Monday to discuss extending government funding. Without a deal, a shutdown would begin from Wednesday, which is also when new US tariffs on heavy trucks, patented drugs and other items go into effect.

A protracted closure could leave the Federal Reserve flying blind on the economy when it meets on October 29.

"If the shutdown lasts beyond the Fed meeting, the Fed will rely on private data for its po

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