World shares edged higher as some markets wrapped up trading for 2020, anticipating a dose of fresh support for the US economy
The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 49 countries, hit an all-time high on Wednesday
Gold eased down from a five-week high to just under $1,340 per ounce
Wall Street's equity volatility gauge, the VIX - the spike in which had kicked off the ructions - was at 26.5%, easing off Friday's 29% close