The ASX 200 was the only major equity........>

STOCKS: The ASX 200 was the only major equity market open in the Asia-Pacific

time zone, owing to widespread holidays in the region. The index trades 0.8%

higher at writing. The IT sector leads the way, but more focus has fallen on the

financial sector, which finds itself one place behind IT on a sectoral basis, as

the big banks leant support to the index after ANZ's earnings results.

- U.S. equity index futures trade higher in the wake of Apple's earnings report,

which saw the tech giant beat on the top and bottom line, provide guidance that

topped exp., boost its dividend and increase its share buyback programme.

- S&P 500 futures +12, DJIA +97, NASDAQ 100 +58.