The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed today that US manufacturing PMI slowed in November.

The ISM Manufacturing PMI in November reached 48.1 points vs. 48.3 in October, lower than forecasts of 49.2.

This comes after doubts over the US-China trade talks were renewed during the last month.

Nickel prices fell today, to remain near the 4-week low amid a slowdown in Chinese steel production -the world's largest nickel consumer- while the Indonesian decision to fully ban nickel ore exports is approaching.

The widely used metal in the steel industry, Nickel, rose to a 5-year high in September after Indonesia announced that the exports ban decision would come into force in next January.

This comes amid concerns about the US-China trade war and uncertainty around unresolved issues, which put pressure on metal prices due to fears over demand by the US and China.

China, the largest metals consumer, has shutdown more than 1,300 heavy metal factories since 2016, within its plan to reduce pollution.

As for trading, nickel spot futures price fell by 2.3% to $13,636.7 per tonne as of 14:30, and hit a session-high of $13,806.5.

US stocks opened lower on the first session of December, amid the lingering uncertainty about the trade talks between the US and China.

Officials from Washington and Beijing haven't revealed the results of the ongoing trade talks, with only positive remarks from both sides have been made.

However, it is widely expected that the US and China are heading to sign the phase one trade deal soon.

The markets will focus on the US monthly jobs report later this week, which provides insight on the US labor market.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell by 0.5% or 150 points to 27,897 as of 15:05 GMT, Nasdaq lost 1.1% or 96 points to 8,570, and S&P 500 fell by 0.3% or 9 points to 3,131.

Silver prices fell during the European session on Monday, to resume losses after hitting a pause on Friday, and slumped to 1-week low as the US dollar rebounds against a basket of currencies, in addition to subdued safe-haven demand.

Silver prices fell by 0.9% to $16.82 an ounce (1-week low), after opening at $16.98, and hit a session-high of $17.01.

Silver rose by 0.6% on Friday, its first daily gain in 3 days, as it was lifted by a retreat in the US dollar against a basket of currencies.

During November, silver prices shed 6%, posting its second monthly loss in 3 months, on a strong dollar and weak safe-haven demand after positive developments in the US-China.

The US dollar rose by 0.1% against its rivals on Monday, to resume its gains after it were halted on Friday on profit-taking from a 6-week high, reflecting its recovery against a basket of currencies.

Most global stock markets rose on Monday, after upbeat Chinese data improved investors' risk-appetite and dampened demand on safe havens.