Stocks in Asia are narrowly mixed, traders...>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia are narrowly mixed, traders taking profit off early gains

heading into the Christmas period. In Japan the Nikkei 225 is down 3 points at

22862, the Nikkei 225 is up 1.4% on the week, the Topix is up 1.9% on the week

putting it on track for the best weekly gain since October. On the Nikkei 225

4/11 sectors are in the red, led lower by Healthcare, -2.1%, Eisai are the worsr

perfomer dropping almost 15% after reporting unsuccessful trials for their

Alzheimer drug.

- US equity futures have risen on positive sentiment after the US Senate passed

a bill to temporarily fund the government and avoid a shutdown, the bill will

also expidite the tax bill as it contains a provision to waive automatic

spending cuts.

- In Australia the ASX 200 is up 13 points at 6072, gains are being driven by

commodities with oil holding above the $58/bbl level and strength across the

metals complex. Higher yields are also helping the financial sector.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is up 4 points at 3303, and in Hong Kong the Hang

Seng us up 72 points at 29440.