Focus fell on Chinese equities once again,...>

STOCKS: Focus fell on Chinese equities once again, although the 3000 level in

the Shanghai Comp provided a cap for A-shares after the recent foray higher.

Market watchers have once again turned their eyes to Shanghai margin levels,

which have ticked higher throughout February, as investors chased the recent

rally in the wake of regulatory adjustments for margin matters.

- The ASX underperformed as all of its major sectors traded lower. The consumer

discretionary & IT sectors found themselves at the bottom of the pile.

- Nikkei 225 -0.4%, Hang Seng -0.5% CSI 300 -0.1%, ASX 200 -1.1%.

- U.S. equity index futures struggled against a broader risk-off backdrop as

tensions between India & Pakistan picked up, and the FT reported that "a group

of senators have written to Rick Perry calling on the U.S. energy secretary to

ban solar equipment made by Huawei saying the Chinese tech group's equipment

poses a national security threat to the U.S.' critical energy structure."

- S&P 500 -11, DJIA -103, NASDAQ 100 -44.