Mostly Lower In Asia

Most of the major regional equity indices were biased lower during Asia-Pac hours, with a softer round of dealing for USD/JPY applying some pressure to the Nikkei 225, while the CSI 300 extended on yesterday's losses, building on the pullback from YtD highs after bulls failed to force a test of the all-time highs earlier this month.

• It was a macro-light Asia-Pac session, with the fiscal impasse in the U.S. and the continued worry surrounding Brexit presenting the two most distinctive sources of pressure at present.
• Some of Hong Kong's dual-listed banks (namely HSBC and Standard Chartered) drew support from the PRA's announcement re: UK banks being allowed to resume the payment of limited dividends.
• Nikkei 225 -0.5%, Hang Seng +0.3%, CSI 300 -1.3%, ASX 200 -0.6%.
• S&P 500 futures -5, DJIA futures -10, NASDAQ 100 futures -33.