Equity indices in the Asia-Pac region are....>

STOCKS: Equity indices in the Asia-Pac region are mixed on Tuesday. In Japan the

Nikkei 225 is around 85 points lower at 22,621. The index gapped higher at the

open but quickly peaked around 22,682 before dropping sharply. On the Nikkei 225

only 3/11 sectors are in the red, but a 1.32% decline in each of the Tech and

Materials sectors is weighing on the index. Tech stocks were lower in the US and

this rout is bleeding over into Asia. A weaker yen is failing to support

Japanese stocks, USD/JPY last up 11 pips at 112.52.

- In Australia the ASX200 is down around 15 points at 5,970. The index dropped

at the open to plumb the days lows of 5948 before bouncing back to current

levels. 7/11 sectors are in the red, led lower by Tech and Financials. In the

Financial sector sources note that people are reducing exposure ahead of year

end. Retail stocks had dropped after Amazon listed on the index, but strong

Retail Sales data saw strength in the sector.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is just keeping its head above water, up 2 points.

The Hang Seng in HK is down 100 points at 29038.