Stocks are in the red in Asia, the Nikkei....>

STOCKS: Stocks are in the red in Asia, the Nikkei 225 last down 8 points at

22,487. The index opened flat, but quickly dropped to session lows on some

lingering yen strength after reports that North Korea were planning a missile

launch. As the session wore on USD/JPY rose around 25 pips from lows and yen

weakness saw the Nikkei 225 move to session highs before lunch. 6/11 sectors are

in the red, Energy and Materials lead the way lower as oil and metals slip

lower. JGB futures are around 6 ticks higher on the session, in general Asia

markets are seeing risk off sentiment on some lingering North Korea jitters.

- In Australia the ASX200 is in the red, down around 6.5 points at 5,982.50.

4/11 sectors are in the red, but large losses in telecommunications and declines

in energy, materials and financials are dragging the broader index lower.

Telstra are sustaining more losses after yesterday's announcement that the delay

in the rollout of the broadband network could hold up payments from NBN.

- Shares in China are lower, but off lows of the session lows, traders note that

price action still seems cautious after the recent turbulence. Earlier the

government banned some funds from short selling on a large scale.