Fresh Highs For Japan Stocks, Korean Shares Slide

Japan stocks again remain outperformers, following positive leads from US/EU markets during Tuesday trade. Trends are mixed elsewhere, the Kospi down, while HK share shares are around flat at the break. US futures have been fluctuating close to flat for much of the session.

• The Nikkei 225 is up a further ~1.50%, hitting fresh highs for this uptrend. Toyota was a strong performer, rising 5%, while construction equipment makers rallied on China stimulus hopes.
• The HSI is around flat, but mainland China shares are firmer, +0.52% at the break for the CSI 300. Education related stocks are higher after the authorities announced plans to improve the vocational school and public education systems. The consensus is also now for a cut in the 1yr MLF rate, announced tomorrow.
• South Korea shares bucked the more positive tech trends, with the Kospi off by 0.60% at this stage, the Kosdaq down 1.8%. The electronics sector is a source of weakness. These moves unwind some of South Korea's recent equity market outperformance. The Taiex is close to flat.
• In SEA trends are mixed, Malaysia shares are higher, with a crude palm oil bounce helping. Indonesian stocks are down though, last off 0.50%.