* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* China trims short-term interest rate, in surprise move
* Helps Asia share markets reverse early losses
* Markets look to Fed minutes, ECB Lagarde speech
* Pound inches up as opinion polls favour Tories
By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Asian shares ticked higher on
Monday after Beijing surprised markets by trimming a key
interest rate for the first time since 2015, stirring
speculation that further stimulus was on the way for the world's
second-largest economy.
China's central bank cut rates on seven-day reverse
repurchase agreements by five basis points to 2.50%, a move that
nudged the yuan higher while lowering bond yields. The news helped Shanghai blue chips recoup early losses to
rise 0.8% .CSI300 , though the initial reaction was cautious
overall. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside
Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS moved 0.3% higher.
Japan's Nikkei .N225 firmed 0.3%, and was just short of
its recent 13-month top. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1
held steady, as did EUROSTOXX 50 futures STXEc1 .
Beijing's latest policy shift added to hopes it might also
be more serious about making progress in trade talks with the
United States.
On Saturday, Chinese state media said the two sides had
"constructive talks" on trade in a high-level phone call that
included Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. trade representative Robert
Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "More than in previous rounds, we see momentum toward
reaching at least a limited trade deal, and certainly a
mini-deal would remove some of the negative sentiment overhang
for the real economy and markets," said Patrik Schowitz, global
multi-asset strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
"We have upgraded our outlook on equities as an asset
class," he added. "Emerging market equities are now our most
favoured region alongside U.S. large cap equities."
LOOKING TO THE FED
In currency markets, the dollar was little changed against
its main peers on Monday and well within recent tight trading
ranges. Indeed, volatility in the market has been the lowest in
decades recently and shows no sign of shifting.
The dollar edged up on the safe-haven yen to 108.81 JPY= ,
after bouncing on Friday. Chart support lies at 108.23 with
stiff resistance at 109.48.
The euro idled at $1.1063 EUR= having found support at
$1.0987 last week. Investors are awaiting the first major speech
by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde due on
Friday for clues on future policy.
Sterling nudged up to $1.2926 GBP=D3 as more polls showed
the Tories well ahead in the election race. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was a shade
softer at 97.905 .DXY .
The dollar and bonds are likely to be sensitive to minutes
of the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting, set to be
released on Wednesday.
"The minutes are likely to reiterate that the U.S. economy
is 'solid' and that current monetary policy settings are
'appropriate', which would support the dollar," said Joseph
Capurso, a currency analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
However, he noted the soft report on October U.S. retail
sales released on Friday suggested previously strong consumption
was showing some cracks. "Any further weakness in consumption could warrant a
material reassessment of the outlook by the FOMC. Under our
baseline, the FOMC would most likely start cutting interest
rates again in 2020," said Capurso.
Spot gold eased a fraction to $1,466.17 per ounce XAU= as
it tracks every passing twitch in risk appetite.
Oil prices were supported after Brent touched a seven-week
high on Friday. O/R
Brent crude LCOc1 futures firmed 4 cents to $63.34, while
U.S. crude CLc1 added 4 cents to $57.76 a barrel.
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(Editing by Sam Holmes)