A mostly negative day for Asia-Pac stocks,...>

STOCKS: A mostly negative day for Asia-Pac stocks, giving back some of their

gains after a rally yesterday - there were some signs that the shortlived

recovery was losing steam towards the end of yesterday's session when Japanese

stocks slipped into negative territory during the afternoon. In Japan the Nikkei

225 is down 172 at 21,072 today, pressured by strength in the yen. The yen has

continued its gains from Tuesday, and hit the lowest levels since late 2016 in

the process. USD/JPY last down 75 pips at 107.08 despite a GDP print that was

slightly on the weak side.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is down 9 points at 3,175 while in Hong Kong the

Hang Seng is up 190 points at 30,029. The market rallied yesterday and mainland

China in particular looks to be taking some profit ahead of the start of the LNY

holiday that begins tomorrow. Both indices opened in positive territory but have

been pressured as risk off flows have been favoured as the session progressed.

- In Australia the ASX 200 is down 15 points at 5,840. US equity futures are

slightly higher, but have come off highs matching the grind lower in Asia-Pac

stocks as safe havens see a bid. Trade is fairly cautious ahead of US CPI data.