The major Asia-Pacific indices were mostly...>

STOCKS: The major Asia-Pacific indices were mostly lower on Tuesday, with a lack

of fundamental news flow apparent.

- Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.1% as health care and energy dragged, while telecoms

& consumer staples provided the largest upticks.

- The Hang Seng bucked the trend as it added 0.6%, with the energy sector

applying the most weight, although the majority of sectors were higher, led by

the consumer discretionary & utilities spaces.

- China's CSI 300 shed 0.7% with property developers leading the fall, while

baby related names moved higher amid reports that China is considering scrapping

birth limits.

- The ASX 200 lost 0.8%, following on from yesterday's underperformance, as the

telecom sector applied the most weight, with all the major sectors moving lower.

- US index futures posted marginal gains, with the e-mini S&P 1 point higher as

the mini Dow added the best part of 30 points.