Asia's major indices traded in mixed.........>

STOCKS: Asia's major indices traded in mixed fashion as China returned from an

elongated weekend & markets struggled to digest the evolving trade war situation

alongside what appeared to be an Israeli based missile attack on Syria.

- The Nikkei 225 stuck to a tight range and went into the lunch break 0.1%

higher, consumer staples outperformed while energy names lagged following

Friday's oil sell off.

- Hong Kong's Hang Seng outperformed, gaining 1.4% as consumer orientated names

led the way higher, while China's CSI 300 added 0.3%.

- Australia's ASX 200 added 0.4% as health care names led the rally, while the

heavyweight energy & materials sectors weighed.

- US index futures benefitted as US President Trump suggested that he believes

China will come to the table re: trade, while reports suggested that North Korea

is willing to discuss denuclearisation. The e-mini S&P added 16 points, as the

mini-Dow added 150 points.