Stocks in Asia-Pac are in the green on.......>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia-Pac are in the green on Tuesday, taking a positive lead

from US and European stocks on the rebound from a global equity rout last week.

In Japan markets returned from the Foundation Day holiday with firm bid tone,

the Nikkei 225 gapping some 180 points higher at the open, the index has firmed

slightly during the morning session and is last up 202 points at 21,591. Gains

are broad based, all 11 sectors on the Nikkei are in the green; Telecoms and and

Consumer Staples are the two biggest gainers with Tech shares also seeing strong

gains. As positive sentiment/a more relaxed tone takes hold the Nikkei

volatility index drops around 36% after reaching 18-month peaks on Friday.

- In China the Shanghai Comp is up 56 points while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is

up 620 points at 30,080. Amid the general risk on sentiment Chinese markets are

getting an extra boost from the PBOC MLF injection ahead of LNY which begins

later this week.

- In Australia the ASX200 is up 34 points at 5,855, while US equity futures are

flat; e-mini S&P futures up 1.75 points while e-mini Dow are down 14 points.