The initial tailwinds stemming from Wall.....>

STOCKS: The initial tailwinds stemming from Wall St.'s positive lead faded,

although the ASX200 managed to extend on yesterday's solid performance, as the

IT and health care sectors drove the index higher, even as the heavyweight

energy and materials sectors posted modest losses. Soft Australian inflation

data provided additional support to the index.

- Nikkei 225 unch., Hang Seng -0.4%, CSI 300 -0.1%, ASX 200 +0.9%.

- U.S. equity index futures trade a touch lower at writing, after the S&P500 and

NASDAQ 100 finished at fresh all-time closing highs on Tuesday.

- S&P -2 points, DJIA -5 points, NASDAQ 100 -11 points.