Asia-Pacific stocks struggled for impetus....>

STOCKS: Asia-Pacific stocks struggled for impetus despite the risk positive news

surrounding Italy & North Korea from the weekend as oil has continued its sell

off.

- The Nikkei 225 printed marginal losses in the morning session as the energy

sector underperformed  alongside the backdrop of softer oil prices. Automakers

also weighed on the index as worries over global trade clouded the outlook for

the space. The real estate sector cushioned the losses.

- The Hang Seng added 0.6%, with the consumer discretionary sector leading the

way higher. Once again the energy sector added the most weight. China's CSI 300

also added 0.6%.

- The ASX 200 lost 0.6%, with heavyweight BHP Billiton continuing to add weight.

On a sectoral basis, the heavily weighted energy & materials sectors led the way

lower, while industrial names cushioned the losses.

- US index futures moved higher with the e-mini S&P adding 10 points and the

mini-Dow adding 80 points.