Global markets surged on optimism over a potential US-China trade deal, following President Donald Trump’s remarks that both sides are set to “come away with” an agreement.

Axar.az, citing The Guardian, reports that Asian indices jumped, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 surpassing 50,000 for the first time, while South Korea’s Kospi and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng also hit record highs.

European and US futures pointed upward amid hopes of lower interest rates after positive US inflation data.

In the UK, the FTSE 100 edged slightly higher, lifted by GSK (+1.3%) after acquiring exclusive rights to a new prostate cancer drug from French biotech Syndivia. However, HSBC shares fell nearly 2% after a $1.1bn provision linked to losses from the Bernard Madoff Ponzi case.

Meanwhile, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns over Greencore’s £4bn takeover of rival Bakkavor, warning it could reduce competition in supermarket chilled sauce supplies. The companies have until 3 November to propose remedies or face a full investigation.

Commodity markets also shifted — gold fell 1% as investors moved from safe-haven assets, while oil prices rose modestly on hopes that easing trade tensions will boost global demand.