China's Commerce Ministry Says It's Evaluating US Trade Talks

Asian stocks edged up and US equity-index futures reversed losses Friday after China said it's evaluating possible US trade talks, boosting optimism that tariff tensions will tamp down. China's Commerce Ministry said in a Friday statement that it had noted senior US officials repeatedly expressing their willingness to talk to Beijing about tariffs, and urged officials in Washington to show "sincerity" towards China. Meanwhile, Japanese shares gained 1.2% on optimistic comments from Japan's chief trade negotiator on their own talks. We get reaction to the day's market headlines from David Finnerty, Bloomberg FX and Rates Strategist in Singapore.

Plus - the S&P 500 has gained for eight consecutive days, its longest run since August, amid increased optimism that trade tensions are waning since President Donald Trump announced century-high levies April 2nd. Investors will turn their attention to the US jobs report due Friday, the last piece of significant data this week, after disappointing earnings from Apple Inc. and Amazon Inc. We speak with Bill Adams, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Comerica Bank.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.