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A relatively uninspiring week for the S&P 500, holding a tight range. Topside resistance at 2800 continues to hold for now as the S&P 500 fails to consolidate above, which in turn suggests that the move to the upside is somewhat exhausted. Near-term support for the index is situated at 2730-40.

· European stocks open higher Monday,, as investors digest the latest news surrounding trade discussions between the U.S. and China.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was 0.5 percent higher with every sector in positive territory.

· Asian shares started the week on the front foot on signs the United States and China were close to striking a tariff deal to end their protracted trade war while the dollar eased as traders wagered Federal Reserve policy would remain accommodative.

That left MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan with gains of 0.4 percent. Japan’s Nikkei strengthened more than 1 percent.

“Following a robust recovery for risk assets since the start of the year, a number of events in March are going to set the tone for global investors on whether this rebound is sustainable,” said Tai Hui, Asia Pacific Chief Market Strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management.

Tai listed the prospective Trump-Xi trade summit among such events while China’s National People’s Congress could provide clues on new policies aimed at boosting Asia’s largest economy.

“These policies will be influential to maintain the upbeat onshore sentiment that has driven a strong rebound in the A-share market

· Japan’s Nikkei rose 1 percent to a fresh three-month high on Monday, as companies with exposure to China rallied on signs Beijing and Washington were closing in on a trade deal to end their bitter nearly year-long tariff dispute.

The Nikkei share average gained 1.02 percent, or 219.35 points, to 21,822.04, the highest since Dec. 5.

The Wall Street Journal reported Washington could lift most or all of its tariffs on Beijing while a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to sign a final trade deal could happen later this month.

That followed comments from Trump on Friday that he had asked China to immediately remove all tariffs on U.S. agricultural products because trade talks were progressing well. He also delayed previously scheduled plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on Chinese goods.