Gold prices hit another record high, the dollar dropped and stock markets traded mixed Tuesday as traders prepared for a possible US government shutdown that could disrupt the release of key economic data.

Congressional Republican and Democratic leaders met President Donald Trump Monday in a bid to find a breakthrough before a midnight Tuesday deadline, but top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer told reporters afterwards that "large differences" remained.

Vice President JD Vance accused the Democrats of putting "a gun to the American people's head" with their funding demands, adding that "I think we're headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won't do the right thing".

While shutdowns are not usually painful, Neil Wilson at Saxo markets remained cautious.

"Usually, markets ignore shutdown

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