Regional stocks have struggled during........>

STOCKS: Regional stocks have struggled during Thursday's session. The CSI 300

has lost 0.4%, with China's CBIRC stating that Chinese banks face a fresh round

of bad assets exposure. There is also little optimism surrounding the ongoing

U.S.-China trade talks, with the latest round of U.S. tariffs set to go into

force shortly.

- The Hang Seng has shed 0.8%, as industrials and telecoms lead the way lower. -

The ASX 200 has lost 0.2%, as the Australia political situation continues to

provide headwinds. Utilities and financials have provided the most weight on a

sectoral basis.

- The Nikkei 225 has lodged marginal gains with USD/JPY ticking higher, aiding

the index's cause. Most of the 225's major sectors are higher on the day, with

energy leading the charge, although materials and industrials have provided a

degree of counterbalance.

- U.S. index futures are a touch lower.