Asia-Pacific indices followed Wall St........>

STOCKS: Asia-Pacific indices followed Wall St. higher with Chinese markets

closed for the first day of the LNY holiday period. A softer-USD pushed oil

higher, which also aided risk sentiment in the region. The Nikkei 225 traded

1.6% higher in early afternoon dealing, shaking off the effects of a stronger

JPY, with financials benefitting from the increase in US yields, although the

energy sector failed to capitalise on higher oil prices. The Hang-Seng last

traded up 1.80% as we head towards the close of a holiday shortened sessions,

with the energy sector leading the way higher, while utilities were the only

sector in the red. Australia's ASX 200 also benefitted from the risk on tone,

with miners and energy names taking advantage of the lower USD. US index futures

managed to build on Wednesday's cash market gains, with the S&P e-mini up 10

points and Dow futures up over 110 points.