Asian indices breathed a sigh of relief......>

STOCKS: Asian indices breathed a sigh of relief after Trump's trade rhetoric

against Canada & Mexico seemingly softened, albeit via officials as opposed to

from the President himself.

- The Nikkei 225 last trades 0.7% higher as USDJPY consolidated above 106.00,

with electronics names & banks leading the way higher.

- Hong Kong's Hang Seng index last trades 1.5% higher, as the index continues to

experience large swings. All of the benchmark index's major sectors are higher,

with discretionary goods the runaway sector.

- China's CSI 300 has shook off a lack of liquidity injections from the PBoC,

but lags offshore names, last trading 0.6% higher.

- Australia's ASX200 is also higher, +0.6% last, with the utilities sector

leading, although energy & materials names are lower.

- US index futures have posted modest gains, with the e-mini S&P 2 points better

off & the mini Dow around 15 points higher.