The major regional equity benchmarks and.....>

STOCKS: The major regional equity benchmarks and U.S. equity index futures edged

higher during the Final Asia-Pac session of the week, even as the yuan traded

defensively vs. the greenback.

- There were several risk negative headlines apparent, but it was perhaps the

latest round of Fedspeak that aided risk appetite, as there was a lack of

outright worry evident, playing into the mantra of insurance protection as

opposed to outright worry ahead of the Jackson Hole symposium, which will be

headlined by Fed Chair Powell later today.

- Nikkei 225 +0.3%, Hang Seng +0.5%, CSI 300 +0.7%, ASX 200 +0.3%.

- S&P 500 futures +10, DJIA futures +80, NASDAQ 100 futures +36.