Tech Names & Higher US Futures Help Regional Sentiment

Regional equities are mixed, although those markets that are weaker, aren't down as much as implied by the US fall from Wednesday's session. Higher US futures through the course of today, with eminis and Nasdaq futures tracking around ~0.45% higher has helped. Cross asset wise, lower US yields, and a weaker USD have helped from a risk sentiment standpoint as well.

• The HSI is tracking close to 0.8% higher at this stage. The underlying tech index is +1.6%, the third straight session of gains. This came after Tencent earnings were better than expected. Alibaba shares were also higher. The HS China enterprise index is up 0.92% so far.
• Mainland shares are also firmer, the CSI 300 +0.36%, while the Shanghai Composite is flat. Northbound flows remain modestly positive so far today (+1.45bn yuan).
• The Topix is around 0.4% weaker at the stage, with bank sub-index down around 1.5%. The Taiex is faring better, up around 0.45%, with semiconductor stocks leading the move. The Kospi is around flat, but is comfortably up off session lows.
• The ASX 200 is down near 0.70%, with weakness in materials and financial stocks the main drags.