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· Asian shares ticked higher on Monday after Beijing surprised markets by trimming a key interest rate for the first time since 2015, stirring speculation that further stimulus was on the way for the world’s second-largest economy.

China’s central bank cut rates on seven-day reverse repurchase agreements by five basis points to 2.50%, a move that nudged the yuan higher while lowering bond yields.

The news helped Shanghai blue chips recoup early losses to rise 0.8% .CSI300, though the initial reaction was cautious overall. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS moved 0.3% higher.

· Japan’s stock benchmark Nikkei rose on Monday on cautious optimism, underpinned by gains in global peers and prospects of a Sino-U.S. trade deal, while Z Holdings and Line Corp advanced after a formal merger announcement.

The Nikkei average gained 0.5% to 23,416.76. The broader Topix added 0.2% to 1,700.72, with defensive sectors such as pharma and telecom leading the rally, up 1.3% and 0.9%, respectively.

In Tokyo, Z Holdings, formerly known as Yahoo Japan, and Line Corp gained 1.2% and 2.2%, respectively, after the two sides formally annouced a merger plan shortly before the market open to create a $30 billion tech giant.

· China stocks ended Monday firmer, as investors hoped for more stimulus measures to shore up the slowing economy after a interbank lending rate cut.

The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.8%, to 3,907.93, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.6% to 2,909.20.

China’s central bank unexpectedly trimmed a closely watched lending rate on Monday, the first such cut in more than four years and a signal to markets that policymakers are ready to act to prop up slowing growth.

Analysts say the cut also shows the central bank is keen to ease investor worries that higher retail inflation would prevent it from delivering fresh stimulus.

· European stocks opened mostly higher on Monday amid ongoing focus on developments in U.S.-China trade talks.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged 0.12% higher with banks climbing 0.4% to lead gains while autos and construction and material stocks slid 0.3%.