US-China trade deal to guide market in data-light week

WITH the third-quarter earnings season on its home stretch, investors' attention over the week will be squarely placed on trade matters, particularly the progress on the "phase one" trade deal between the US and China.

Early last week, sentiment was hurt as worries rose that an agreement could be breaking down but things however picked up later on Friday after White House Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow reiterated that both parties were close to a deal.

Whether the promise of sweeter prospects - a deal being cut - remains or comes closer to fruition is anybody's guess, with risk appetite in the market remaining sensitive to developments on the trade front.