Asia-Pac equity markets have bucked the......>

STOCKS: Asia-Pac equity markets have bucked the negative trend of earlier this

week on Thursday, despite the negative lead from US and European indices.

- The Nikkei 225 is last up 133 points at 22,161, the Topix is up 10 points at

1754 snapping a 5 day losing streak. Sources note that the latest bout of buying

is driven by bargain hunting after the 1400 point decline in the Nikkei from the

middle of last week. A weaker yen during the sesson is also supporting stock

market gains, USD/JPY is last up 8 pips on the session at 112.96 after touching

112.48 during the US session on Wednesday.

- In Australia the ASX200 is up around 10 points at 5944, the index initially

dropped a the start of the session but has gained as the session progressed

following labour market data. The data spurred risk on trade in Australia

despite a weaker headline figure as markets focused on the breakdown of the data

that showed gains in full time employment and upward revisions.

- In China mainland shares are mixed with the Shanghai Comp. in minor negative

territory, last down 3.5 points at 3399. The Hang Seng is last up 152 points at

29005. Gains in Hong Kong are led by strong earnings from Tencent.