U.S. equity index futures edge higher......>

EQUITIES: U.S. equity index futures edge higher after Thursday's afternoon rally

on Wall St., which was driven by speculation surrounding M&A in the banking

sector (as Fox pointed to Goldman Sachs being on the lookout for an

acquisition), which allowed the space to more than reverse its early losses that

came in lieu of bubbling Sino-U.S. tensions.

- A bid in crude oil prices also aided sentiment.

- Focus continues to fall on fiscal matters, with the Trump administration

reportedly open to a fresh round of pay check payments (although there are some

divisions within the admin). Senate majority leader McConnell didn't rule out

fresh fiscal stimulus, but wouldn't be drawn to committing to a timeframe, while

House speaker Pelosi pointed to everything being on the table in fiscal

discussions.

- The Nikkei 225 is trading higher in earlier Tokyo trade as a result of the

above, in addition to confirmation that 39 Japanese prefectures will re-open

ahead of schedule (although Tokyo was not amongst the 39 names). The Japanese

benchmark sits over 1% higher on the day.