It has been a mixed session for Asian......>

EQUITIES: It has been a mixed session for Asian stocks with most equity indices

across the region higher on the day with the notable exceptions of Japan and

Korea.

- South Korean stocks have underperformed as North Korea has said that it will

cut communication with the South and treat South Korea as an enemy. This

development has also seen safe haven yen demand, pulling Japanese stocks lower

as a result.

- The Australian S&P/ASX 200 has been one of the main outperformers, up around

2.5%. Most of this move was on the open, however, after markets were closed

yesterday for the Queen's birthday holiday. It was therefore a delayed reaction

to Friday's surprising US employment report with the index hitting its highs

around 15 minutes after the open and then remaining fairly rangebound since.

- US equity futures are little changed overnight while European equity futures

are a bit higher.