Stocks in Asia are mixed in thin trade.......>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia are mixed in thin trade ahead of Christmas. In Japan the

Nikkei 225 is down 21 points at 22869. After opening lower the index plumbed

depths of 22728 before bouncing into the lunch break, the index then gapped

higher after the BoJ kept all policy on hold. US stocks provided a negative lead

after the House voted (again) to pass the tax bill, MNI sources note it looks

like a case of buy the rumuor sell the fact, and that the tax related optimism

is now mostly priced into markets. 

- On the Nikkei 225 7/11 sectors are in the red, led lower by financials and

consumer staples. Family Mart is the biggest decliner down 2.75% after a

downgrade from Daiwa.

- In Australia the ASX200 is down 14 points at 6061, coming off 9-Year highs hit

yesterday. MNI sources note volatility is expected in Aussie equities before the

end of the month due to futures/option expiries today and thin volumes around

Christmas.

- In China and Hong Kong indices are in the green led higher by insurers. The

Hang Seng is up 144 points, Shanghai Comp up 15 points.