Asian shares were generally higher late Thursday as indications of easing economic frictions overshadowed US President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry. The US greenback remained firm after soaring the most since March and government bonds and treasuries recouped some recent declines.
Japanese equities were also up together with counterparts in South Korea and Hong Kong, while Chinese and Australian stocks dropped. Ten-year bond output fell down to 1.6 percent.
In New York, the S&P 500 deferred a 3-day decline during after hours session on Wednesday after Trump suggested that a trade agreement with the Chinese can be done and touted a deal with Japan.
In New Zealand, the kiwi currency was up and investors reduced bets for further easing after its central bank governor announed reductions in interest rates are working.
A trade peace pact with Beijing is getting "closer and closer", Trump said. "There is a good chance a trade agreement can be reached," he added. The Chinese government is beginning to make big orders of basic commodities like pork and beef, he said.
Trump also expressed optimism on economic discussions with Japan that allows the country to have easy access on $7.1 billion worth of US farm products.
According to Wells Fargo Securities LLC financial strategist Ana Han, risk taking will all depend on how the US-China trade issue will play out. On certain period, "we think it will be more risk-on as long as we do not witness anything crazy with a derailment on the trade talks," she said.
China's Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.6 percent to 2,933.95. Markets were mostly subdued as traders took profits before sessions were suspended in the next few days for the celebration of National Day following an extended increase in stock prices, especially in the tech sector.
MSCI's largest index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Tokyo rallied 0.15 percnt while Japan's Nikkei average advanced 0.41 percent. China's blue-chip stocks likewise surged 0.21 percent.
Oil futures climbed in most of Asia in a signal of cautious positivism on world economic prospects, but some traders have warned that a halt in trade tensions may not be doable in the next coming weeks.
In commodities, US crude increased 0.08 percent to $56.52 per barrel in a sign some businesses project higher demand for fuel and energy in the coming moths due to a more robust economic activity.
