On Wednesday Asian shares inched up , supported came from optimism the USA & China can strike a trade deal to avoid an all-out confrontation that will severely disrupt the global economy.
Japan's Nikkei rose 1.21% while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 1.5%.
On Tuesday Wall Street's S&P 500 gained 0.97%, extending its gains from 20-month lows touched around Christmas to more than 9%.
The United States and China will continue trade talks in Beijing for an unscheduled third day on Wednesday, amid signs of progress on issues including purchases of U.S. farm and energy commodities and increased access to China’s markets.
The rally in risk assets has accelerated since last Friday, when Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said he was aware of risks to the economy and would be patient and flexible in policy decisions this year.
Oil prices also extended their rallies on hopes of progress in the trade talks.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures rose above $50 per barrel for the first time in 2019 to stand at $50.50, up 1.37%.
U.S. bond yields also rose further, with the benchmark 10-year Treasuries yield rising to 2.73%, compared with its one-year low of 2.543% hit just before Friday’s strong payrolls data.
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