Asia-Pacific indices followed the lead of....>

STOCKS: Asia-Pacific indices followed the lead of their global counterparts and

traded sharply lower on Wednesday.

- The Nikkei 225 lost nearly 1.8% in the morning session as all the major

sectors gave up ground. As mentioned, the losses were broad based, although

electronic appliance related names were particularly heavy.

- The Hang Seng lost 1.25% as all of the major sectors operated in the red. The

consumer discretionary sector added the most weight. China's CSI 300 traded 1.6%

lower.

- Australia's ASX 200 was 0.5% worse off with financials and telecoms leading

the declines, although utilities & health care provided a degree of respite.

- US index futures were a little more positive with the e-mini S&P flat, while

the mini-Dow added over 20 points.