GOOD MORNING ASIA

In Economy

On Thursday , MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was all but flat, having just touched peaks last seen in early October. Asian Indices markets started in a cautious mood as investors hoped for progress in the latest Sino-U.S. tariff talks while bracing for China trade data that are expected to show further falls in both exports and imports.

There was some hope another U.S. government shutdown would be averted as President Donald Trump edged toward backing a deal in Congress on funding for a border barrier.

Chinese stocks were grabbing attention after the Shanghai blue chips index jumped 2% on Wednesday to levels last seen in late September.

On Wednesday, Trump said the talks with China were "going along very well" as they try to resolve the tariff dispute ahead of a March 1 deadline.

Data showing U.S. consumer price inflation rose at the slowest annual pace in more than 1-1/2 years supported speculation the Federal Reserve could stay patient on rates and helped lift Wall Street.

The Dow ended Wednesday up 0.36%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.30% and the Nasdaq 0.26%.

In Currency Markets

The dollar firm on a basket of currencies at 97.243, near its highest since mid-December.

The improvement in risk appetite undermined the safe haven yen and propelled the dollar to its best levels of the year so far at 111.04.

The euro took a hit on European industrial output which pushed long-term market inflation expectations to new lows, while putting downward pressure on bond yields in the bloc. The single currency was last at $1.1269.

The Sterling was also on edge at $1.2854 ahead of another parliamentary vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan.

In Commodity $ Energy Market

In futures trading, gold's benchmark April contract on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange settled up $1.10, or 0.28%, at $1,311.45 per ounce.

Copper-related exchange traded funds could strengthen this year as big banks turn bullish on the base metal in anticipation of tightening supply ahead.

Oil prices found support as top exporter Saudi Arabia said it would cut crude exports and deliver an even deeper cut to its production. U.S. crude was last up 10 cents at $54.09 a barrel. Brent crude futures were yet to trade at $63.84.