In Asian Equity Markets hares inched higher while sterling came off five-month highs in volatile trade on Wednesday as investors looked to whether Britain can secure a deal to avoid a disorderly exit from the European Union. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.5%, hitting 10-month highs.Australian shares added 0.9% while South Korea’s KOSPI index climbed 0.6%, maintaining gains after South Korea’s central bank cut its policy interest rate for the second time in three months, matching a record low to address mounting deflationary pressures.

In Currency Markets the British pound fell from its highest level in almost five months versus the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as investors started to question their optimism about Britain’s negotiations to leave the European Union. Sterling also pulled back from its highest in five months against the euro as investors booked profit and prepared for a make-or-break summit between Britain and the EU on Thursday and Friday. The pound fell 0.20% to $1.2758, pulling back from a five-month high of $1.2800 reached on Tuesday.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose on Wednesday, tracking gains in equities, as investors pinned hopes on a potential Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union and on signals from OPEC and its allies that further supply curbs could be possible. But gains were limited on lingering concerns of a global economic slowdown. Global benchmark Brent crude oil futures had risen 11 cents to $58.85, up about 0.2% from the previous day’s close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude had gained 10 cents or 0.2% to $52.91 a barrel.

In US Equity Markets indices advanced on Tuesday as third-quarter reporting season hit with a spate of upbeat earnings reports that brought buyers back to the equities market. The S&P 500 .gained 1.00%, to 2,995.68 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.24%, to 8,148.71. Among the big banks, JPMorgan Chase stock hit a record high after it handily beat estimates on bond trading and underwriting strength. Its shares were last up 3.0%. Blackrock Inc beat analyst estimates on strong inflows into its fixed income and cash management business, sending its stock up 2.4%.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields rose to a three-week high on Tuesday on a report that British and European Union negotiators were close to a deal for Britain to exit the European Union, spurring an increase in risk taking and reducing demand for safe haven debt. Benchmark 10-year yields rose as high as 1.773%, the highest since Sept. 20, and up from 1.753% late Friday. The bond market was closed on Monday for the Columbus Day holiday.