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Stocks rise on US-China talks, China rate reduction

U.S. stocks futures and Chinese stock markets both rose on Wednesday as investors welcomed news of a high-level meeting between U.S. officials and Chinese counterparts as an opportunity to reduce tariffs. China also cut interest rates and promised to support the stock market.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary, said that the meeting scheduled for this weekend in Switzerland would be a de-escalation.

S&P 500 futures were up about 0.9%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.7% at mid-morning. China blue chips were up 0.5%, while Japan's Nikkei index was largely flat.

Ray Attrill, head of Foreign Exchange Research at National Australia Bank, said: "It seems that both sides are willing to reach out and meet on a high-level. I wouldn't have thought it could be anything other than positive."

It's positive for Asian foreign exchange in general.

The dollar rose a little against the yen, euro and yuan. China's rate reductions weighed down on the yuan.

The South Korean won, which was gaining ground with the surge of Asian currencies, has fallen by more than 1 percent.

Gold dropped 1.4%, while oil rose 0.5%.

China's central banks governor announced a 10 basis-point cut in the benchmark interest rate, and a 50 basis-point cut to bank reserves on Wednesday. This will allow more money into the banking system.

Investors interpreted the announcements of the financial regulator as a coordinated effort by the authorities to promote the property market.

It's reminiscent of the press conference that started the stimulus euphoria back in September. Homin Lee is a senior macro-strategist at Lombard Odier, based in Singapore.

Later on Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve will meet to set interest rate cuts.

The markets indicate that there is almost no chance for a move to be made on Wednesday, and only 33% of a reduction in June. This is down from 64% one month ago.

India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed neighbors and the fighting has been intense for more than 20 years. India fired gunfire and shells over the border in Kashmir, while India also hit targets in Pakistan.

Attrill of NAB said that it would add another layer to the geopolitical tensions and likely cause India's currency to fall.

The euro was supported above $1.13, with German conservative leader Friedrich Merz being elected chancellor after his alliance with Social Democrats suffered a shock defeat in the initial round.

(source: Reuters)