The major Asia-Pacific indices benefitted....>

STOCKS: The major Asia-Pacific indices benefitted from a series of RTRS

interviews with U.S. President Trump, who is open to further meetings with his

Chinese counterpart Xi re: trade, while he also stated that he would view a rate

hike at next week's FOMC decision as foolish.

- Huawei's CFO making bail also helped broader risk appetite, with Trump

stressing that he would intervene in the matter if it helped to come to a trade

deal with China.

- The Nikkei 225 trades 2.0% higher, with the Hang Seng 1.5% better off and the

CSI 300 0.2% higher. Elsewhere the ASX trades 1.3% higher at writing.

- U.S. index futures are also higher at writing, with the e-mini S&P 13 points

better off.