Fresh COVID-19 worry in both the U.S. &....>

EQUITIES: Fresh COVID-19 worry in both the U.S. & China pressured the equity

space from the off in Asia-Pac trade, with North Korean sabre rattling adding a

further source of worry for investors.

- Elsewhere, the latest round of Chinese economic activity data didn't really

move the needle, with the early defensive posturing setting the tone for the

remainder of the session.

- S&P 500 e-mini futures broke back below 3,000, and briefly printed through

last week's low in the process (based on the ESU0 contract, which is leading

ESM0 in volume ahead of M0's expiry on Friday). A clean break through last

week's lows and the 23.6% retracement of the move from the March low to the June

high would likely see bears switch focus to the zone that contains the 61.8%

retracement of the move from the YtD high to the YtD low & 100-DMA.

- Nikkei 225 -0.6%, Hang Seng -0.8%, CSI 300 -0.2%, ASX 200 -0.5%

- S&P 500 futures -39, DJIA futures -354, NASDAQ 100 futures -80.