Asia-Pac stocks are mostly higher on.........>

STOCKS: Asia-Pac stocks are mostly higher on Wednesday, recovering from the

sharp decline yesterday after yet another North Korea missile test. The

geopolitical concerns seem to have subsided and risk on sentiment has returned

to markets.

- On the Nikkei 225 the index opened higher and has moved in a narrow range,

ignoring better than expected retail sales pre-market. Yen weakened overnight as

USD regained some strength which supported the jump higher on the indices at the

open. The index went into the lunch break at 19,468.73 up 106 points.

- Mainland China and the Hang Seng are both in positive territory with the Hang

Seng led higher by a jump in the technology sector.

- The Australian ASX200 is the exception, down around 5 points, dragged lower by

Telstra who fell almost 8% after the company revealed that their plans to

securitise broadband payments had been scuppered and rights expired for their

final dividend.

- US stock futures have also seen a rise amid the risk on sentiment, e-mini Dow

futures last up around 10 points.