European stocks and gold prices rose, while Wall Street futures fell on Wednesday as the US government shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a funding deal.

The prospect of services in the United States being closed pushed gold to another record high over $3,895.

In Asia, Tokyo's stock market sank, while Hong Kong and Shanghai were closed for holidays.

European markets were lifted by pharmaceutical shares after Pfizer was granted reprieve from President Donald Trump's tariffs by agreeing to lower drug prices in the United States.

Trump also announced plans to unveil a website to allow consumers to directly purchase some medications from manufacturers at discounted rates.

While details remain thin, shares in British pharma giant AstraZeneca rose more than six percent and GSK was up

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