TOKYO/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The dollar posted modest gains on Wednesday, as traders looked ahead to a possible outcome to drawn out U.S.-China trade talks, while a forecast for monetary policy easing knocked the Aussie.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Profits at China’s industrial firms shrank at their fastest pace in eight months in October, tracking sustained drops in producer prices and exports and underscoring slowing momentum in the world’s second-largest economy.

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Asian shares rose on Wednesday and European stocks looked set for gains after U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiators were close to inking an initial trade deal, while expectations the Federal Reserve will keep rates low underpinned sentiment.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Major currencies hardly budged on Wednesday as traders looked ahead to the final outcome of U.S.-China trade talks and a shortened holiday week in the United States.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil fell on Wednesday after an industry report showed an unexpected build in U.S. crude inventories, but optimism around the signing of the first phase of a U.S.-China trade deal capped a deeper slide in prices.

TOKYO (Reuters) - A telephone call between top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators lifted the dollar to a two-week high against the yen while China’s yuan edged up on Tuesday, due to optimism that the two sides will soon agree an interim deal to halt their trade war.