Asian shares rose to new 19-month highs on Monday ahead of the expected signing on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/details-of-us-china-deal-to-be-published-after-signing-white-house-273483">Phase One</a>&nbsp;China-US&nbsp;trade deal, although markets have yet to see the details of the agreement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nifty-sensex-headed-for-weekly-gain-as-mideast-tensions-ease-273346">MSCI's broadest index</a> of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.47 per cent&nbsp;higher, touching its highest point since June 2018. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday.

South Korea's trade-sensitive Kospi added 0.73 per cent&nbsp;and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.74 per cent, while Taiwan shares added 0.6 per cent&nbsp;in the first trading day after Taiwanese re-elected President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-strengths-as-global-financial-hub-intact-despite-protests-carrie-lam-273828">Tsai Ing-wen</a> by a landslide on Saturday.

Mainland Chinese shares lagged the regional index after China's major equity indexes logged their sixth consecutive weekly rise last week, the longest such streak since the first quarter of 2019.

The benchmark <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-jumps-634-points-as-us-iran-tensions-ease-auto-and-realty-stocks-gain-273229">Shanghai Composite Index</a> ended the morning session up just 0.06 per cent.

Investors in China are looking ahead to trade and economic growth data due this week, which is expected to shed more light on some early signs of economic improvement after the country logged its slowest pace of growth in nearly three decades in the third quarter.

Japan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-shares-erase-losses-as-mideast-tensions-ease-oil-ticks-up-273093">Nikkei</a> was closed for a holiday. It fell sharply early last week when Iran attacked bases hosting US&nbsp;military in Iraq, only to rally almost a thousand points when the two countries stepped back from hostilities.

E-Mini futures for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-stocks-march-back-to-record-highs-as-middle-east-tensions-ease-273438">S&amp;P 500</a> edged up 0.28 per cent, to be just off all-time highs.

The main event of the week will be the signing of the Phase One&nbsp;trade deal between the United States and China on Wednesday. The Trump administration has invited at least 200 people to the White House for the ceremony.

"A calmer geopolitical backdrop and the signing of the US‑China Phase One&nbsp;agreement is, on balance, favourable for global growth," said Joseph Capurso, an FX strategist at CBA.

"However, the 86-page Phase One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-vice-premier-liu-to-sign-us-trade-deal-next-week-in-washington-273242">agreement</a> has not yet been made public.&nbsp;There are doubts how comprehensive the deal is, and whether the Phase One&nbsp;agreement will be implemented in full by both governments."

Washington has reserved the right to reimpose tariffs if it judges China is not abiding by the deal.

"If there is any surprise from the Phase One&nbsp;deal&nbsp;that may actually cause some kind of volatility," said Tommy Xie, economist and head of greater China research at OCBC in Singapore.

"People are really focused on whether China is really committed to purchasing additional $200 billion in goods and services from the US&nbsp;over the next two years, there's not much commitment from China yet."

Xie said China's fourth-quarter and 2019 full-year GDP figures, due on Friday, are also likely to draw close scrutiny as investors look for signs that improvements seen in recent manufacturing surveys are reflected in broader growth and investment figures.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sp-500-snaps-win-streak-as-middle-east-tensions-push-down-wall-street-272037">Wall Street</a> slipped and bonds rallied on Friday when data showed US&nbsp;nonfarm payrolls missed forecasts with a rise of 145,000, while wages and hours worked were soft.

"This is the perfect employment report for the Fed to continue to run the economy 'hot', as views on the natural rate of unemployment continue to drop," said Alan Ruskin, Deutsche Bank's global head of FX strategy. "This is perfect for risky assets."&nbsp;

On Monday, the euro gained 0.06 per cent&nbsp;to $1.1126, up from a $1.1083 low on Friday. Support comes in around $1.1060, while the recent peak at $1.1239 marks stiff resistance.

The dollar was firm on the yen at 109.61 but faces tough resistance around 109.70 where rallies have repeatedly failed in the past couple of months.

Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was stuck at 97.357, well within the recent trading range of 96.355 to 97.817.

The pound dipped 0.18 per cent&nbsp;to $1.3035 after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bank-of-england-sam-woods-warns-financial-sector-may-crackdown-273799">Bank of England</a> policymaker Gertjan Vlieghe said he will vote for a cut in interest rates later this month, barring an "imminent and significant" improvement in the growth data.

Spot gold slipped 0.37 per cent to $1,556.30 per ounce, having hit a seven-year top last week of $1,610.90 at the height of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-kill-your-protesters-us-president-trump-to-iranian-authorities-273818">Iran-US&nbsp;tensions</a>.

Oil prices were slightly firmer after suffering the first weekly loss since late November.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-edges-above-65-as-middle-east-concerns-support-273441">Brent crude</a> futures were up 6 cents at $65.04 a barrel, while US&nbsp;crude added 10 cents to $59.14 a barrel.

Asian shares rose to new 19-month highs on Monday ahead of the expected signing on Phase One China-US trade deal, although markets have yet to see the details of the agreement.

Asian shares rose to new 19-month highs on Monday ahead of the expected signing on Phase One China-US trade deal, although markets have yet to see the details of the agreement. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was 0.47 per cent higher, touching its highest point since June 2018. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday. South Korea's trade-sensitive Kospi added 0.73 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.74 per cent, while Taiwan shares added 0.6 per cent in the first trading day after Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide on Saturday. Mainland Chinese shares lagged the regional index after China's major equity indexes logged their sixth consecutive weekly rise last week, the longest such streak since the first quarter of 2019. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ended the morning session up just 0.06 per cent. Investors in China are looking ahead to trade and economic growth data due this week, which is expected to shed more light on some early signs of economic improvement after the country logged its slowest pace of growth in nearly three decades in the third quarter. Japan's Nikkei was closed for a holiday. It fell sharply early last week when Iran attacked bases hosting US military in Iraq, only to rally almost a thousand points when the two countries stepped back from hostilities. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 edged up 0.28 per cent, to be just off all-time highs. The main event of the week will be the signing of the Phase One trade deal between the United States and China on Wednesday. The Trump administration has invited at least 200 people to the White House for the ceremony. "A calmer geopolitical backdrop and the signing of the US‑China Phase One agreement is, on balance, favourable for global growth," said Joseph Capurso, an FX strategist at CBA. "However, the 86-page Phase One agreement has not yet been made public. There are doubts how comprehensive the deal is, and whether the Phase One agreement will be implemented in full by both governments." Washington has reserved the right to reimpose tariffs if it judges China is not abiding by the deal. "If there is any surprise from the Phase One deal that may actually cause some kind of volatility," said Tommy Xie, economist and head of greater China research at OCBC in Singapore. "People are really focused on whether China is really committed to purchasing additional $200 billion in goods and services from the US over the next two years, there's not much commitment from China yet." Xie said China's fourth-quarter and 2019 full-year GDP figures, due on Friday, are also likely to draw close scrutiny as investors look for signs that improvements seen in recent manufacturing surveys are reflected in broader growth and investment figures. Wall Street slipped and bonds rallied on Friday when data showed US nonfarm payrolls missed forecasts with a rise of 145,000, while wages and hours worked were soft. "This is the perfect employment report for the Fed to continue to run the economy 'hot', as views on the natural rate of unemployment continue to drop," said Alan Ruskin, Deutsche Bank's global head of FX strategy. "This is perfect for risky assets." On Monday, the euro gained 0.06 per cent to $1.1126, up from a $1.1083 low on Friday. Support comes in around $1.1060, while the recent peak at $1.1239 marks stiff resistance. The dollar was firm on the yen at 109.61 but faces tough resistance around 109.70 where rallies have repeatedly failed in the past couple of months. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was stuck at 97.357, well within the recent trading range of 96.355 to 97.817. The pound dipped 0.18 per cent to $1.3035 after Bank of England policymaker Gertjan Vlieghe said he will vote for a cut in interest rates later this month, barring an "imminent and significant" improvement in the growth data. Spot gold slipped 0.37 per cent to $1,556.30 per ounce, having hit a seven-year top last week of $1,610.90 at the height of Iran-US tensions. Oil prices were slightly firmer after suffering the first weekly loss since late November. Brent crude futures were up 6 cents at $65.04 a barrel, while US crude added 10 cents to $59.14 a barrel.

Asian shares rise ahead of US-China 'phase one' trade deal

Israel's&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;minister, Israel Katz, has postponed a&nbsp;visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;this month due to&nbsp;security&nbsp;concerns,&nbsp;diplomats&nbsp;said on Sunday, linking the decision to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Iran-US&nbsp;tensions</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isreal-shares-its-regional-connectivity-plan-with-india-267101">Israel Katz</a>, who doubles as intelligence&nbsp;minister, had been scheduled to attend mid-month meetings in the Gulf emirate ahead of its Expo 2020&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;but "on the instruction of&nbsp;security&nbsp;officials" would defer the&nbsp;visit, an&nbsp;Israeli diplomat said, without giving a new date.

Another diplomat, who also requested anonymity, said&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;was taking precautions lest its arch-foe Iran try to target Katz as part of retaliation against its US&nbsp;ally. The diplomat did not cite evidence to indicate any specific threat.

Decades-old hostilities between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-and-iran-top-agenda-in-merkel-putin-meeting-273573">Tehran and Washington</a> have boiled&nbsp;over&nbsp;in recent weeks, with a US&nbsp;strike killing a senior <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Iranian commander</a> and Iran firing missiles at Iraqi airbases hosting US&nbsp;forces in response.

Iran and&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have been fierce regional enemies since the 1979 Iranian revolution.&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;has in recent years built up ties with Sunni Gulf states that share its worries about Iran.

Though it does not enjoy formal relations with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranians-step-up-protests-after-tehran-govt-admits-ukrainian-plane-strike-273779">United Arab Emirates</a>,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;will have a pavilion at Expo 2020&nbsp;Dubai, which opens in October - participation that Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-in-apparent-stumble-calls-israel-a-nuclear-power-272310">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> has described as part of "normalisation with the Arab states".

Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, has postponed a visit to Dubai this month due to security concerns, diplomats said on Sunday, linking the decision to Iran-US tensions.

Israel's foreign minister, Israel Katz, has postponed a visit to Dubai this month due to security concerns, diplomats said on Sunday, linking the decision to Iran-US tensions. Israel Katz, who doubles as intelligence minister, had been scheduled to attend mid-month meetings in the Gulf emirate ahead of its Expo 2020 Dubai but "on the instruction of security officials" would defer the visit, an Israeli diplomat said, without giving a new date. Another diplomat, who also requested anonymity, said Israel was taking precautions lest its arch-foe Iran try to target Katz as part of retaliation against its US ally. The diplomat did not cite evidence to indicate any specific threat. Decades-old hostilities between Tehran and Washington have boiled over in recent weeks, with a US strike killing a senior Iranian commander and Iran firing missiles at Iraqi airbases hosting US forces in response. Iran and Israel have been fierce regional enemies since the 1979 Iranian revolution. Israel has in recent years built up ties with Sunni Gulf states that share its worries about Iran. Though it does not enjoy formal relations with the United Arab Emirates, Israel will have a pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, which opens in October - participation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as part of "normalisation with the Arab states".

Israel: Foreign Minister Israel Katz postpones Dubai visit over 'security' reasons

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Asian shares rise ahead of US-China 'phase one' trade deal

Israel: Foreign Minister Israel Katz postpones Dubai visit over 'security' reasons