Stocks in Asia-Pac are lower to start the....>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia-Pac are lower to start the week on Monday, in Japan

stocks are weighed on by a stronger yen after USD/JPY dropped again and recorded

the biggest weekly decline in USD/JPY in over 2 months. USD has weakened as

political back and forth continues over the tax bill, while safe haven assets

have been bid in Asia after news that German coalition talks fell apart on

Sunday night.

- The Nikkei 225 is currently down 120 points at 22,275. All 11 sectors are in

the red on the Nikkei 225, led lower by Financials. Toshiba are also weighing on

the index after announcing a Y600bln share offering.

- In Australia the ASX200 is lower by around 7.5 points at 5,949. Financials and

utlitites lead the way lower, but energy shares are performing well as WTI holds

gains above $56.50 made on Friday.

- In China mainland shares are lower, the Shanghai Comp last down 10 points at

1,944 and extending the decline from Friday that was sparked by warnings in the

state media publications that shares were rising too quickly. In Hong Kong the

Hang Seng is 32 points lower at 29,166.