Equities update: Japan closed for..........>

EQUITIES: Equities update: Japan closed for holidays (Mon-Weds); the HANG SENG

ended 1029.79 pts lower or -4.18% at 23613.8.

- European equities are playing catch-up (or rather, catch-down) after a long

weekend, with the German Dax down 377.39 pts or -3.47% at 10485.83, FTSE 100

(which was open Friday) down 4.89 pts or -0.08% at 5758.39, CAC 40 down 164.38

pts or -3.6% at 4407.31 and Euro Stoxx 50 down 113.1 pts or -3.86% at 2816.01.

- U.S. futures are lower, with the Dow Jones mini down 293 pts or -1.24% at

23330, S&P 500 mini down 31.5 pts or -1.12% at 2791, NASDAQ mini down 81.5 pts

or -0.93% at 8636.75.