Most Regional Indices Higher, China Lags

Regional equity markets are mostly higher, following the positive lead from EU/US markets during Monday's session. US futures are also tracking higher, with 0.15/0.20% gains across eminis and Nasdaq futures. China shares are lagging, while gains elsewhere are under the 1% mark at this stage.

• The CSI 300 is off modestly, down 0.16%, while the Shanghai Composite Index is close to flat. This comes despite better trends from energy related names, which follows higher oil prices. Saudi Aramco has also taken a 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical, which has likely helped at the margins as well.
• Northbound stock connect flows have been modestly negative again today (1.67bn yuan so far in the session).
• The HSI has been volatile, up 1.2% earlier in the session, before getting back close too flat. We now sit around ~0.70% higher.
• Elsewhere, the Topix is close to flat, while the Kospi is +0.60%, outperforming the Taiex, which is down -0.70%. This follows weakness in the semiconductor space during Monday's session (the SOX off more than 1%).
• The ASX 200 is up close to 1%, aided by broad based commodity price gains. Most SEA bourses are higher but gains are mostly under 0.50%.