The major Asia-Pacific indices started the...>

STOCKS: The major Asia-Pacific indices started the week on the back foot, but

moved off of lows as US index futures ticked higher.

- Japan's Nikkei 225 lost around 0.4% as electronics names continued to

flounder, with the utilities sector leading the way lower. Health care names

outperformed, while consumer staples also trod higher.

- The Hang Seng shed 0.5%, as consumer staples & telecoms led the way lower. The

mainland CSI 300 lost around 0.6%. Chatter  on Friday suggested that state funds

intervened amid the market freefall, with similar murmurings from some quarters

suggesting the same happened today.

- Australia's ASX200 lost 0.6%. Gold miners rallied following Friday's move in

the yellow metal, while heavyweight banking name CBA weighed as it shuffled its

executive team, as financials lagged.

- US index futures edged higher with reports of a slightly softer US-China trade

backdrop & an agreement on trade matters between the US & South Korea. The

e-mini S&P future added 12 points, while mini Dow futures added 82 points.