Risk-off flows moderated through the.........>

STOCKS: Risk-off flows moderated through the session, with the majority of the

region's major indices reversing their early declines. Comments made by U.S.

President Trump on Fox re: making a very good deal with China helped to

stabilise risk assets, although the President has mentioned this many times

before. Elsewhere, Chinese Premier Li reiterated his country's desire to

open-up, while noting that the country will promote trade facilitation in 2019.

The move was also aided by a RTRS exclusive piece, in which U.S. officials noted

that "the United States and China have made progress in all areas under

discussion in trade talks, with unprecedented movement on the touchy issue of

forced technology transfers, but sticking points remain." Still, the Nikkei 225

struggled on the back of JPY strength, managing a brief look below 21,000 before

recovering from lows. Mining & energy names allowed the ASX 200 to outperform.

- Nikkei 225 -1.4%, Hang Seng unch., CSI 300 +0.1%, ASX 200 +0.5%.

- The aforementioned headlines allowed S&P 500 futures to regain 2,800 after a

slip below.

- S&P 500 -6, DJIA -46, NASDAQ 100 -15.