Asian shares have fluctuated between gains and losses after declines the previous day. (AP PHOTO)Asian shares have fluctuated between gains and losses after declines the previous day. S&P 500 ⁠e-mini futures slid 0.4 per cent and Nasdaq e-mini futures were off 0.5 per cent, while precious metals were choppy after a flash crash. A faltering rebound for precious metals fell short after a choppy session on Thursday. "The liquidation of what had become some grossly extended positioning ... is not overly surprising, particularly in the precious metals space," said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group in Melbourne.