A sea of red for the major regional equity...>

STOCKS: A sea of red for the major regional equity markets operating in Asia-Pac

hours, with liquidity thinned on the back of a Japanese holiday. Coronavirus

worry continues to provide fresh pressure, with contagion fears outside of

China, coupled with questions over Chinese economic activity denting risk

appetite.

- That mix saw tech, consumer discretionary and energy names come under notable

pressure.

- Even the prospect of deeper easing from the PBoC, coupled with impending

looser fiscal restraints did little for mainland Chinese markets.

- U.S. equity index futures also started to "feel the Bern," with added weight

coming from Bernie Sanders conclusive victory in the Nevada caucuses.

- Hang Seng -1.4%, CSI 300 -0.7%, ASX 200 -2.2%.

- S&P 500 futures -45, DJIA futures -389, NASDAQ 100 futures -175.