BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Auto sales in China fell for a 15th consecutive month in September, data from the country’s biggest auto industry association showed, dampening hopes for a second-half turnaround in the world’s largest auto market.

BEIJING (Reuters) - A slide in China’s exports picked up pace in September while imports contracted for a fifth straight month, pointing to further weakness in the economy and underlining the need for more stimulus as the Sino-U.S. trade war drags on.

China's import and export data for September came in worse than expected amid the country’s ongoing trade friction with the U.S., Reuters reported on Monday, citing the Chinese customs.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The dollar held near a 2 1/2-month high against the yen on Monday after Washington and Beijing announced progress towards a trade deal, while sterling hovered near a three-month peak on hopes for an orderly British exit from the European Union.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Monday, holding onto 2% gains from Friday amid renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while a detente in the U.S.-China trade war buoyed market sentiment.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian share markets pushed higher on Monday as signs of progress in the Sino-U.S. trade standoff whetted risk appetites, while pressuring safe-haven bonds and the yen.