A SCMP source piece which noted that "the....>

STOCKS: A SCMP source piece which noted that "the U.S. and China have

tentatively agreed to another truce in their trade war in order to resume talks

aimed at resolving the dispute" leant support to regional equity markets during

Asia-Pacific hours after a fairly lacklustre start, which came after a near flat

session for Wall St. While the SCMP piece revealed little new (very similar to a

BBG sources piece earlier this week), the market reaction reiterates the broader

market's relatively pessimistic expectations heading into the G20 summit.

- The ASX 200 underperformed as the real estate and utility sectors struggled,

although the heavyweight energy and materials sectors fared well.

- Nikkei 225 +0.8%, Hang Seng +1.0%, CSI 300 +1.0%, ASX 200 unch.

- S&P 500 futures +8, DJIA futures +53, NASDAQ 100 futures +30.