Asia Pac Equities Surge, Led By South Korea

Asia Pac equities are once again a sea of green, as markets start the week off on a positive footing. The stand out performer has been the South Korean Kospi, with broader macro trends helping, along with an announced ban on short selling. US futures have been relatively quiet. Eminis have largely tracked sideways, last near 4379, while Nasdaq future sit near 15189 in recent dealings.

• In South Korea, the Kospi is up 4%, the Kosdaq 6%. The short selling ban will be in place until June of this year (see this BBG link for more details). Broader trends of tech outperformance amid the recent sharp pull back in US yields has also helped. Offshore investors have added $538.8mn to local shares so far today.
• Japan markets have returned from Friday's holiday. At this stage, the Topix is up 1.80%, the Nikkei 225 ~2.4%. The cyclical sensitive electrical appliances sector is leading the Topix higher. in Taiwan, the Taiex is +1.1% higher.
• In Hong Kong, the HSI is up +1.70%, while at the break, the CSI 300 is +1.34%. China related property developers have tracked higher after reports that China Vanke will meet "financial institutions Monday to discuss matters regarding its operating conditions"(see this BBG link).
• In SEA gains are more muted, with the major indices tracking up less than 1% at this stage.