A sea of red across equity indices in Asia...>

STOCKS: A sea of red across equity indices in Asia for a second day, taking a

negative lead from the US after equity markets plunged late in the day lodging

the steepest sell off since 2011. In Japan the Nikkei 225 is down 1194 points at

21,487, pressured by the general risk off tone which has seen the yen

strengthen. USD/JPY last trades down 36 pips at 108.72. The Nikkei is now

heading for a technical correction having fallen 10% from the 26 year high hit

on Janaury 23. Volumes are robust across the asset classes, in Japanese equities

volumes are running around twice the 30-day average.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is down 71 points at 3,416, in Hong Kong the Hang

Seng is down 1,388 at 30,856. In Hong Kong equity indices are on track for the

biggest one day decline since 2016, though the index is still near the record

highs hit in January. Chinese equity indices are slightly more insulated than

other indices in Asia, and the PBoC have been known to step in to provide

support though there is no sign of this happening yet.

- In Australia the ASX200 is down 184 points at 5,841, while in US futures the

sell off has continued, e-mini S&P500 down 47.5 points last.