POSITIVE remarks from both the US and China on trade matters, which suggest negotiations between the two sides are inching towards a deal, lifted spirits and made for a friendly Tuesday for Asian equities.

In Singapore, the Straits Times Index (STI) built on a positive start to the week, opening 1.1 per cent higher before pulling back on some of those early gains as some investors booked profits to end at 3,160.67, a gain of 21.52 points or 0.7 per cent. Other Asia-Pacific benchmark indices in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea all posted gains.

Reflecting on Tuesday's session, AxiTrader Asia-Pacific market strategist Stephen Innes remarked: "The familiar themes continue dotting the landscape, with renewed optimism again on the US-China trade talks, and head bashing continuing about the latest clownishness on the never-ending saga called Brexit."