The Australian dollar and US equity futures rose in early Asian trading Monday amid signs of improving ties between the US and China, while contracts for benchmarks in Asia showed muted moves. The Australian dollar edged higher against the greenback, adding to its 2% rise last week — the currency’s third consecutive weekly gain against the dollar. The advance has attracted hedge funds to short the currency. The small advance Monday follows positive signs Sino-US relations will thaw, and also ongoing optimism China will unleash fresh stimulus to boost its flagging recovery. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had ... (full story)