The major Asia-Pacific indices drew..........>

STOCKS: The major Asia-Pacific indices drew support from Wall St.'s positive

lead, buoyed as the Fed affirmed its pledge to gradual tightening at Jackson

Hole, with Chair Powell playing down the risks of an overshoot in inflation.

- The Hang Seng was the regional outperformer, adding nearly 2.0%, with all of

its major sectors trading higher, as consumer discretionary and energy names led

the charge.

- The Nikkei 225 added 0.7% in the morning session, as the energy & IT sectors

advanced.

- Over on the Chinese mainland the CSI 300 added ~1.3% as the yuan clung to most

of its late Friday gains.

- Australia's ASX 200 was the regional underperformer, adding 0.2%, with the

banking sector weighing on the back of the initial findings in the royal

commission, largely offsetting the gains made elsewhere.

- U.S. index futures continued to edge higher.