S&P/ASX 200 Index Rises on Trade Talks Hope

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 92.4 points higher, or 1.13%, on Friday. Expectations of a possible easing of the China - US trade impasse drove the index to its best weekly performance in nearly two years and to a two - month high. The statement by the Ministry of Commerce that it is "evaluating" the request from US trade officials to launch trade negotiations further boosted investor confidence.