Markets have enjoyed an upbeat start to the week (Daniel ROLAND)

Hong Kong (AFP) – Most Asian markets rose Tuesday on the back of hopes for central bank and government stimulus measures around the world, while investors were also cheered by further signs of easing tensions in the China-US trade war.

Trading floors around the world have been tense for several weeks owing to concerns about a number of factors including the trade war, Brexit, a global economic slowdown and tensions in the Middle East.

However, while markets remain on edge, equities have enjoyed a positive start to the week, with Germany reportedly planning government support to avert a recession in Europe’s biggest economy and central banks elsewhere looking to ease monetary policy.

Among the key events this week is a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell at the annual Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers in Wyoming.

His remarks will be pored over to see if he hints at another interest rate cut following last month’s move, and if so how deep it will be. However, some analysts have pointed out that while the US economy is showing signs of slowing, it remains healthy and Powell could decide no new help is needed just yet.

The Fed policy board “did not unanimously agree to the last 0.25 percent cut,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for Asia-Pacific at OANDA. “US economic data continues to perform blissfully, implying the economy is doing just fine.

“Against that backdrop, I struggle to see why… Powell would hit the panic button at Jackson Hole this week. The financial markets could be setting themselves up for an ugly correction into the week’s end.”

– Huawei hope tempered –

Still, for now the mood is positive and by lunch Tokyo was up 0.4 percent, while Shanghai was slightly higher and Hong Kong was flat, weighed by profit-taking after four days of gains.

Sydney gained 0.6 percent, Singapore, Seoul and Taipei each put on 0.3 percent and Wellington rose 0.6 percent. Manila and Jakarta were both down.

The White House’s decision to delay again by 90 days a ban on US firms doing business with Huawei was taken as a conciliatory move towards China and provided hope.

The announcement followed comments from Donald Trump and key advisers expressing optimism over the talks, with top-level negotiations between the economic titans lined up for next month.

The news was tempered, however, by the Commerce Department adding 46 companies to its list of Huawei subsidiaries and affiliates that would be covered by the ban if it is implemented in full, taking the total on the list to more than 100.

The “details don’t necessarily suggest the US is making too many concessions on the China trade negotiations”, said Rodrigo Catril, senior forex strategist at National Australia Bank.

Oil prices were flat, holding Monday’s strong gains — when Brent jumped 1.9 percent and WTI 2.4 percent — on hopes for the trade talks and stimulus and following a strike by Yemeni rebels on a Saudi Arabian oil field at the weekend.

– Key figures around 0230 GMT –

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.4 percent at 20,642.72 (break)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: FLAT at 26,284.18

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 2,886.80

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1087 from $1.1078 at 2015 GMT

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2130 from $1.2134

Euro/pound: UP at 91.38 pence from 91.30 pence 

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 106.59 yen from 106.66 yen

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN five cents at $56.16 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP one cent at $59.75 per barrel

New York – Dow: UP 1.0 percent to 26,135.79 (close)

London – FTSE 100: UP 1.0 percent at 7,189.65 (close)

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.