The major regional equity indices have.......>

STOCKS: The major regional equity indices have ticked higher in Asia-Pac trade,

with the slight moderation in the daily new Chinese virus case count and

continued recovery of infected patients helping to soothe fears for the most

part (negating the uptick in the daily death toll, from a market perspective).

It is worth flagging that there was some background worry over the uptick in

virus cases in South Korea.

- The ASX 200 was the laggard among the major indices in the region. Fortescue

and Wesfarmers found themselves near the top of the table in lieu of their

respective earnings releases. Banks struggled, with Westpac warning on mounting

regulatory costs.

- U.S. equity index futures added to the recovery seen in late NY trade, with

the NASDAQ 100 filling the gap lower that was seen at yesterday's electronic

re-open.

- Nikkei 225 +1.1%, Hang Seng +0.4%, CSI 400 +0.5%, ASX 200 +0.2%.

- S&P 500 futures +12, DJIA futures +107, NASDAQ 100 futures +40.