Asia-Pac equities are just about in..........>

STOCKS: Asia-Pac equities are just about in positive territory on Wednesday,

managing to shake off a negative lead from US stocks, investors are still

watching the ongoing US tax bill passage. The bill passed in the House and will

go to the Senate, but due to some procedural errors will have to have some small

amendments and go back to the House, US President Trump still seems confident he

can sign the bill before Christmas. The tax saga and thin holiday volumes are

limiting moves in either direction for stocks.

- The Nikkei 225 is up 6.2 points at 22874, the index opened slightly lower and

dropped slightly at the open before recovering to session highs of 22923. A

slightly weaker yen is supporting the index, USD/JPY last up 6 pips at 112.95.

5/11 sectors are in the green on the Nikkei 225, led higher by Financials as

yields rise across the board in both Japan and the US.

- In Australia the ASX 200 is up 4 points at 6075, mainland China is flat with

the Shanghai Comp last at 3296, in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is flat at 29257.