Asia-Pacific stocks edged higher,............>

STOCKS: Asia-Pacific stocks edged higher, initially buoyed by the positive lead

from Wall St., before the major regional benchmarks moved away from session

highs.

- U.S. Tsy yields printed fresh month to date highs, although USD/JPY edged

lower, capping the Nikkei 225.

- The CSI 300 was supported by a softer yuan, and a report noting that the PBOC

has advised banks via "window guidance" to provide medium-term lending facility

(MLF) funds for primary dealers to support loan placement and bond investment,

according to the 21st Century Business Herald, citing financial professionals.

- The Hang Seng operates close to unchanged levels, as losses for health care

and IT names pushed the index back to unchanged levels.

- Australia's ASX 200 added 0.3% with industrials and financials leading the

way, while utilities and real estate provided a degree of counterweight.

- US index futures hovered around unchanged levels.