US equity markets advanced, buoyed by some positive signs on the US-China trade front and fresh talk of global central bank stimulus - Dow up +250-points or +0.96%, with major banks benefitting from a rise in bind yields. The broader S&P500 +1.21% - logging its first consecutive 1%+ gains since 11 November, 2018 - with Energy (up +2.14%) and Information Technology (+1.56%) leading all eleven primary sectors higher. NASDAQ +1.35%. News that the US Commerce Department had afforded Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd 90-day reprieve during which it can continue to do business with American companies despite the White House’s concerns over national security lifted chip makers Apple Inc rose +1.9%, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Cook speaking with President Trump over the weekend. The president later said that Mr Cook made a "good case" and "a very compelling argument" that it would be difficult for Apple to pay tariffs, when Samsung does not face the same hurdle because much of its manufacturing is in South Korea. President Trump added that he was having dinner with Mr Cook on Friday (23 August).
