Japanese stocks opened on a high and went....>

STOCKS: Japanese stocks opened on a high and went into the lunch break in

positive territory with the Nikkei 225 currently up 86.59pts at 19449.36. An MNI

source observed 'positive territory, but no real conviction.'

- 10 of 11 sectors are in the green, utilities being the only sector to come

into the lunch break in the red due to gas companies, more specifically Tokyo

Gas of which shares on Monday climbed 11% after strong earnings were published. 

- The Hang Seng Index is up around 154pts, it really did fend off any negative

implications from Typhoon Hato as Chinese energy companies perform well. 

- USD/JPY is at 109.63, in line with Tsy's USD up on the session after lows of

the pair 108.88 coming into the Asia session yesterday following Trump's rally

in Arizona. 

- The ASX is down 2pts, after dropping 20pts on the open, contradictory to the

Hang Seng, Energy is the best performing sector.

- European markets picked up from yesterday mainly in the green but the Dow, the

S&P500 and the Nasdaq ended their sessions in the red with Jackson Hole looming.