Japanese stocks went into the lunch break....>

STOCKS: Japanese stocks went into the lunch break lower, the Nikkei 225 down

59.94 points at 19,325.87, denoting the third consecutive day of declines. The

index opened lower, pressured be a stronger yen as North Korea jitters persisted

which saw yen gain on safe haven flows. USD/JPY fell during the session

yesterday dropping some 80 pips during European/US trade to last trade at

108.71.

- Stocks in Asia-Pac are weaker in general, following the negative lead from US

stocks, while bonds are bid globally which has seen flows rotate from stocks to

bonds. The ASX 200 is down around 29 points at 5677, the index dropped at the

open then clawed back some of the losses while GDP data came in slightly weaker

than expected on the quarter at 0.8% (est. 0.9%).

- Stocks in mainland China and Hong Kong are both in the red, capping their

recent gains with financials seen as the main drag.

- US stock futures are lower, dovish comments from Fed officials during

yesterday's session helped to spur the bid in US treasuries, while there is also

some worry around Hurricane Irma heading towards Florida.