Geopolitical events (the diplomatictensions between Canada and Saudi Arabia and the impositions of sanctions to Russia from the U.S.) had a muted effect on advancedeconomies' stock markets. In Europe, the mainstock indices experienced moderate losses, except in Portugal and in the U.K., while the S&P 500 remained unchanged. Instead, trade tensions between China and the U.S. weighted on Chinese equity indices.

The threat of further trade tariffs between China and the U.S. continued to drive financial volatility up in yesterday's session.

Trade tensions continued to impose a cautious tone in financial markets amid news that China would seek the World Trade Organization's support to impose sanctions on the U.S. over dumping tariffs.

Volatility spiked amid fears that U.S.-China trade tensions may have damaged Q3 corporate earnings.

Global financial markets operated yesterday in a positive mood after both the U.S. and China's Presidents manifested that trade talks are moving positively.

Volatility spiked and global stocks declined across the board amid concerns about the strength of the U.S.-China trade truce.

Financial markets remain optimistic as trade negotiations between China and U.S. advance "very well", according to a tweet from Donald Trump.

In yesterday's session, most international stock indices managed to register moderate gains on the back of a positive assessment of the trade talks between China and the U.S.

Easing tensions between China and U.S. improved investors' mood and equities increased across the globe, oil surged and interest rates on safe assets edged up.

Trade tensions between China and the U.S., the extension of the U.S. government shutdown and positive surprises in the earnings season determined yesterday investor's mood.

Markets traded in a cautious mood as concerns about global growth (some companies blamed slowing global growth for disappointing results) and trade tensions (U.S. prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei and its CFO while China asked the WTO to rule on its complain about U.S. tariffs) came back to the fore.

The Fed's dovish turn (see), better-than-expected earnings releases, and a positive end to U.S.-China trade negotiations in Washington (to be continued in mid-February) fueled a rally in U.S. and EM stocks.

In the first session of the week, optimism regarding trade negotiations between the U.S. and China (as Donald Trump said that talks are "going very well") and higher-than-expected earnings of U.S. companies improved investor sentiment.

As investors awaited for more clues on the evolution of trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, financial markets remained in a low volatility environment.

Investors struck an upbeat tone in the first session of the week as they eye ongoing U.S.-China trade talks (high level officials are to meet on Thursday and Friday).

Ahead of high-level U.S.-China negotiations later in the week, optimism over trade talks boosted investor sentiment in yesterday's session.

In the last session of the week, financial markets showed an upbeat tone on the back of a better perspective on China and U.S. trade talks.

While analysts await for the U.S. and China trade talks to resume next week, financial markets received the last Fed's meeting minutes without big movements.

In the last session of the week, stocks rallied across the board amid positive signs from U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Stocks drifted lower after the top U.S. trade negotiator pushed back expectations for a deal that addresses the underlying trade tensions with China.