Stocks in Asia in positive territory to......>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia in positive territory to start the week, taking a

positive lead from US stocks which hit record highs on Friday. Additional

positive sentiment garnered after US Republicans reached a tax agreement, votes

said to take place in the House and the Senate midweek with hopes that the bill

will be signed by Trump before Christmas. This has seen USD/JPY rise in today's

session, the weaker yen also helping to buoy stocks. The Nikkei 225 is up 315

points at 22868, the index gapped up at the open and has continued to march

higher. All 11 sectors are in the green, led higher by Financials.

- In Australia the ASX 200 is up 41 points at 6038. Australia shares are boosted

by commodities and materials prices.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is flat at 3263, the Hang Seng is up 113 points at

28962. The Hang Seng is boosted by HKEX which rose after announcing plans to let

companies with dual share structures list in the Hong Kong index.