ASIA INDICES MUTED , DOLLAR CALM, CRUDE OIL FIRM

• On Early Monday , Asian indices got muted start as jaded investors awaited real evidence on progress in the U.S.-China trade dispute, though sentiment found support from another record close on Wall Street. Doubts about Sino-U.S. trade talks emerged early last week, although optimism gradually returned as U.S. officials sounded more positive.

• On Saturday, Chinese state media said the two sides had "constructive talks" on trade in a high-level phone call that included Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

• Wall Street's main indexes closed at record levels on Friday as the S&P 500 scored its sixth straight week of gains. The Dow ended Friday up 0.8%, while the S&P 500 made 0.77% and the Nasdaq 0.73%. (N)

• In Forex markets on Monday, the dollar was little changed against its main peers, the dollar was a shade softer at 97.954. and well within recent tight trading ranges. Indeed, volatility in the market has been the lowest in decades recently and shows no sign of shifting.

• The dollar was steady on the yen at 108.72 , after bouncing on Friday. Chart support lies at 108.23 with stiff resistance at 109.48.

• The euro, likewise, idled at $1.1054 having found support at $1.0987 last week. Investors are awaiting the first major speech by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde due on Friday for clues on future policy.

• Sterling nudged up to $1.2916 as more polls showed the Tories well ahead in the election race.

• The dollar and bonds are likely to be sensitive to minutes of the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting, set to be released on Wednesday.

• Spot gold was flat at $1,468.45 per ounce as it tracks every passing twitch in risk appetite.

• Oil prices were supported after Brent touched a seven-week high on Friday. In early trade, Brent crude futures firmed 2 cents to $63.32, while U.S. crude added 3 cents to $57.75 a barrel.