SEOUL (Reuters) - Oil prices held steady on Monday as fears of conflict between the United States and Iran eased, with investors shifting their focus to this week’s scheduled signing of an initial U.S.-China trade deal, which could boost economic growth and demand.

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co’s (F.N) China vehicle sales fell for a third consecutive year, by 26.1%, as it battles a prolonged overall sales decline in its second-biggest market that has hit demand for its mass-market Ford brand and sports utility vehicles.

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China’s auto market is likely to shrink for the third year in a row in 2020, the country’s top auto body is expected to say on Monday, but industry watchers are cautiously hoping a sales recovery in lower-tier cities ease the pace of decline.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar began the week supported by optimism on the Sino-U.S. trade front, while the pound wobbled lower after weekend hints at an interest rate cut from a Bank of England policymaker.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is expected to post stronger export and import growth in December, helped by a rebound from a low base, a Reuters poll showed, signaling a modest recovery in demand as Beijing and Washington step closer to ending their trade war.

SYDNEY/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Asian shares rose to new 19-month highs on Monday ahead of the expected signing on a Phase 1 China-U.S. trade deal, although markets have yet to see the details of the agreement.