However, Trump said it could take up to five weeks to get a pact written, acknowledging that the agreement could fall apart during that period. "It feels like investors remain somewhat disappointed by the limited nature of the US-China trade deal but remain optimistic that phase 2 and 3 will come to fruition," Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific Market Strategist at AxiTrader said in a note.
Malaysian stocks were the top gainers in the index, seeing their best day in over six weeks. The Malaysian government announced a smaller-than-expected budget for 2020 and forecast a wider deficit target, however, it promised stimulus measures should global demand worsen. Food processing firm Sime Darby Plantation saw its best day in over nine weeks, gaining 3.9% in its second consecutive session of gains.
Philippines benchmark index posted its third consecutive gain, finishing at an over two-week high. Real estate firms were among the top gainers, with index heavyweight Ayala Corp advancing 0.9%. Singapore's Straits Times index gained 0.3% after the central bank eased its monetary policy for the first time in three years.
The decision from Monetary Authority of Singapore came along with data which showed that the city-state's bellwether economy grew less than expected in the third quarter. Growth in the economy was hurt by a prolonged tariff dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Thai Beverage PCL, the biggest gainer in the index, climbed 2.3% to its best session in a week. Indonesian stocks pared early gains to finish 0.4% up, with consumer staples and financials leading the gains. Animal feeds manufacturer Charoen Pokphand Indonesia and PT Bank Central Asia gained 4.3% and 1.2%, respectively. Thailand markets were closed on Monday for a holiday.