Asia-Pac Markets Slide

A negative day for equity markets in the Asia-Pac time zone, taking a negative lead from the US where major indices saw sharp declines. Markets in Japan lead the way lower with a slide of around 2.5%, the ruling party's leadership election steals the limelight today. Markets in China also lower, Evergrande is in focus with a coupon payment coming due today. In South Korea the KOSPI saw heavy losses after positive reopening comments from a minister sparked speculation that the October BoK meeting could be live. In the US futures have bounced slightly, coming off the back of the worst one-day loss since May, upside is tempered by concerns over the debt ceiling impasse. participants can look forward to UK lending data, Eurozone consumer confidence and a speech from Fed's Harker. Later in the day a raft of Central Bank speakers will appear on a policy panel discussion at ECB Forum on Central Banking.