Most Asian stocks gained, led by gold producers and Chinese banks. Trading volume was low across the region ahead of the Christmas holiday amid speculation U.S. lawmakers will miss a deadline on budget talks.

Nikkei 225 Closed

S&P/ASX 200 4,635.19 +11.61 +0.25%

Shanghai Composite 2,159.05 +5.74 +0.27%

Alacer Gold Corp. led producers of the precious metal higher.

China Construction Bank Corp., the nation’s second- largest lender, advanced 1.1 percent.

Korea Gas Corp. slid 5.3 percent in Seoul after the world’s largest buyer of liquefied natural gas delayed the sale of asset-back securities.