Asian share markets pushed higher on Monday as signs of progress in the Sino-U.S. trade standoff whetted risk appetites, while pressuring safe-haven bonds and the yen.

Liquidity was lacking, however, with Japan off and a partial market holiday in the United States for Columbus Day. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS edged up 0.5%.

Australia's main index gained 0.9% and South Korea .KS11 firmed 1.3%.

While Tokyo was on holiday, Nikkei futures were trading at 22,105  compared with a Friday close of 21,798 in the Nikkei index. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1 also added another 0.36% after jumping on Friday.

Sentiment had been boosted when U.S. President Donald Trump outlined the first phase of a deal to end a trade war with China and suspended a threatened tariff hike, though officials on both sides said much more work needed to be done.

Source : Reuters