Lower Yields Push Asia Equities Higher

Regional Asia Equities are higher today, as yields move lower. Hong Kong and China Mainland equity strength help drive positive sentiment in the region, while investors brush off concerns surrounding contagion fears stemming from NYCM Commercial Property issues.

• Japan equities indices are mixed today. Tech names are weighing on the market however after Snap reported poor earnings and plunged 20% late in US trading, with the tech heavy Nikkei trading -0.10%, the Topix is faring better up 0.40% led by transportation names. In other news, Toyota's market value breaks ¥50 trillion for the first time.
• Australia Equities are higher today, after falling for the past two days. Lower US yields are supporting the move higher so far, as the market brushed of the hawkish rate talk from the RBA yesterday. Financials and Mining names are leading the move higher, while the potential merger between Woodside and Santos have ended causing Santos equity to fall over 6%.
• South Korea stocks are higher today, snapping a two-day losing streak. Data out earlier showed SK Dec Current account surplus widen to $7.415B, currently the Kospi is trading 1.30% higher.
• Elsewhere in SEA, it has been a strong start to trading with most markets trading 0.25-1.00% higher.