* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* E-Mini futures for S&P 500 up 0.5%, Nikkei futures rise
* Risk-sensitive Aussie firms, dollar up on yen
* Oil gains after sell-off on Friday, gold nudges lower
By Swati Pandey
SYDNEY, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Wall Street stock futures edged
up in early trade on Monday, setting an upbeat tone for Asian
markets on hopes of an interim Sino-U.S. tariff deal after the
U.S. Trade Representative characterised their two days of talks
as "productive".
Oil gained more than 1% to their highest in two sessions as
Middle East tensions remained elevated, supporting prices.
The E-mini futures for U.S. S&P 500 ESc1 climbed 0.5% in
while Chicago-traded Nikkei futures NIYcm1 suggest Japan's
Nikkei .N225 is on course to rise 0.4%.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS , up 3.4% so far this month, is likely to hold a
firm tone on Monday.
The U.S. Trade Representative's office issued a brief
statement characterising the two days as "productive" and that a
principal-level trade meeting in Washington would take place in
October as previously planned. China's Commerce Ministry, in a brief statement, described
the talks as "constructive", and said they had also had a good
discussion on "detailed arrangements" for the high-level talks
in October.
"Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication on
the relevant issues," it added, without elaborating.
Additionally, the United States removed tariffs from more
than 400 Chinese products in response to requests from U.S.
companies.
"The two nations have continued to hold constructive talks.
That's helped the sentiment but the markets still remain
unconvinced," said Rodrigo Catril, senior forex strategist at
National Australia Bank in Sydney.
Market sentiment was still a bit jittery as news broke on
Friday that Chinese officials unexpectedly cancelled a visit to
U.S. farms next week following their two days of negotiations in
Washington.
That led to losses in Wall Street on Friday with the Dow
closing 0.6% lower, the S&P500 .SPX 0.5% down and Nasdaq
.IXIC off 0.8%.
"There has not been any progress, at least officially, in
terms of the more contentious issues," Catril added.
Analysts said they'd closely follow U.S.-China trade talks
in coming weeks.
Later in the day, September manufacturing activity surveys
are due from the United States and European Union with market
looking for a small rebound.
In currencies, the dollar gained a tad against the safe
haven Japanese yen to 107.61 JPY= . The risk-sensitive
Australian dollar AUD=D3 was up 0.11%.
The euro EUR=D3 was mostly flat as was the British pound
GBP= .
Brent crude LCOc1 futures gained on Monday, rising 1.1%,
or 72 cents, to $65 a barrel, while U.S. crude CLc1 futures
added 1.2%, or 71 cents, to $58.80 a barrel. O/R
The Pentagon has ordered additional troops to be deployed in
the Gulf region to strengthen Saudi Arabia's air and missile
defences following an attack on Saudi oil facilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the
additional troops are for "deterrence and defence" and
Washington aimed to avoid war with Iran.
But with markets calmer since the Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi
Arabian refineries, gold pulled back. GOL/
Spot gold XAU= was off 0.2% at $1,513.71 an ounce.
Asia stock markets https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
Asia-Pacific valuations https://tmsnrt.rs/2Dr2BQA
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(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)