In Asian Equity Markets Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up by 0.42 percent, with the shipping sector continuing its move upward by 2.52 percent. South Korea’s Kospi traded up as well by 0.15 percent. The ASX 200 was up 0.31 percent after trading largely flat earlier. Construction materials and building products supplier Boral’s stock jumped by 8.26 percent on the back of news that its full year net profit rose 48.5 percent to A$441 million ($324 million). The Shanghai composite fell by 0.2 percent to trade at 2772.78. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index traded by about 0.12 percent higher, even though information technology sector fell by around 0.26 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar inched higher on Wednesday after dipping to a four-week low overnight, but relief over a U.S-Mexico trade deal was dimmed by concerns that the China-U.S. trade war will drag on for some time. The greenback retraced its losses in U.S. trade after the U.S. consumer confidence index came in higher than expected, reaching its highest level since October 2000. On Wednesday, the U.S. currency was nearly flat at 111.25 yen following a gain of about 0.1 percent on Tuesday. The Australian dollar rose about 0.1 percent to $0.7344, after losing about 0.1 percent on Tuesday.

In Commodities Markets oil markets were stable on Wednesday, buoyed by falling supplies from Iran ahead of U.S. sanctions but held in check by rising production outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. International Brent crude oil futures were at $76 per barrel, up 5 cents from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 6 cents at $68.59 a barrel. In the United States, crude oil inventories rose by 38,000 barrels to 405.7 million barrels in the week to Aug. 24, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday.

In US Equity Markets the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq edged up to record highs for the third consecutive session on waning trade jitters that have vexed the markets for much of the year. The S&P 500 gained 0.07 percent, to 2,898.85 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.21 percent, to 8,034.63. Of the 11 major sectors of the S&P 500, five were in positive territory, with real estate and technology posting the biggest percentage gains. Among losers, shares of Best Buy Co Inc fell 4.8 percent after the electronics retailer reported a drop in online sales growth and provided underwhelming third quarter profit guidance.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields on Tuesday rose across maturities to weekly highs as fears of a global trade war abated a day after the United States and Mexico agreed on an overhaul of the North America Free Trade Agreement, and following fair demand at auction for $37 billion of five-year notes. Yields were also up modestly following the well-received $37 billion auction of five-year notes on Tuesday afternoon, a $1 billion increase in supply from July. The yield on the U.S. benchmark 10-year Treasury note was up 3.5 basis points at 2.886 percent. The 30-year bond yield rose 3.5 basis points to 3.034 percent.