Stocks on Wall Street were little changed on concerns about progress in the US-China trade war.
The South China Morning Post reported that a planned increase in tariffs on Chinese imports could be delayed, even if a trade deal is not reached by mid-next month.
China maintained it will strive to reach a trade deal with the US.
However, a diplomatic row also broke out after the US Congress passed a bill protecting human rights in Hong Kong.
NAB's Tapas Strickland said on balance, the markets' "glass half-full" interpretation of a possible partial US-China trade deal continues to be the dominant sentiment.
"A series of headlines overnight gave a degree of optimism that a partial agreement entailing a truce is still likely despite the Hong Kong Bill being seen as a barrier to a more comprehensive trade deal," he said.
Whatever the sentiment, equities were little moved.
The S&P 500 was dipped 0.1 per cent to 3,104.
Technology stocks weighed on the index, but energy stocks rose on hopes that major oil producers are likely to extend production cuts until mid next year.
The tech-centric Nasdaq fell 0.2 per cent.
The three major indices have reached record highs this month but some market watchers think sharp falls could be around the corner.
In other news, troubled office space firm, WeWork, plans to lay off 2,400 staff globally, and the US labour market and manufacturing data pointed to a slowing economy.
Markets were also in the red in Europe.
In London, the FTSE 100 lost 0.3 per cent to 7,239, largely on trade concerns.
Brent crude oil is up more than 2 per cent to $US63.78, while spot gold slipped to $US1,465 an ounce.
The Australian dollar has dropped 0.25 per cent to 67.8 US cents.
