Australian equities consolidated early.......>

STOCKS: Australian equities consolidated early gains with the ASX holding toward

the upper end of its narrow 35 pip range, up +0.50 at 6,222.30.

- The Hang Seng dipped back under the psychological 30,000 level, touched

pullback lows of 29,914.50 before staging a minor recovery. Last trades -0.30%

at 30,071.00.

- Mainland Chinese equities registered moderate losses on the session. Shanghai

Comp -0.39%, CSI 300 -0.33%.

- The Nikkei 225 opened lower and largely consolidated in narrow range trade,

last -0.63%. It's also worth noting that the the 50-dma crossed above the

100-dma which could give a future bullish signal.

- US equity futures sit firmer at the European crossover. S&P 500 +2.25, DJIA

+13.00, NASDAQ +3.75.