Below gives key levels of markets in the...>

SNAPSHOT: Below gives key levels of markets in the second half of the Asia-Pac

session:

- Nikkei 225 up 8.67 points at 21456.83

- ASX 200 up 13.973 points at 5912.4

- Shanghai Comp. down 1.829 points at 3368.321

- JGB 10-Yr future down 5 ticks at 150.33, yield up 0.4bp at 0.072%

- Aussie 3-Yr future flat at 97.86, yield up 0.3bp at 2.112%

- Aussie 10-Yr future down 1 tick at 97.2, yield up 1bp at 2.773%

- US 10-Yr future down 6+ ticks at 125.01+, yield up 3.41bp at 2.3519%

- WTI crude up $0.11 at $51.4, Gold down $5.75 at $1284.61

- USDJPY up 62 pips at 113.15

* U.S. SENATE APPROVED BUDGET IN STEPS TOWARDS TAX CUTS

* U.S. PRES TRUMP SAID TO BE FAVOURING POWELL FOR FED CHAIR 

* GE CHANC. MERKEL SAID 'ENCOURAGING SIGNS' TOWARD BREXIT 

* EU LEADERS REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL

* SENIOR WHITE HOUSE AIDE SAID PRES. TRUMP WILL DEMAND STEPS TO OBAMACARE REPEAL