The major regional equity markets............>

STOCKS: The major regional equity markets benefitted from the BoJ's pledge re:

providing liquidity, which allowed them to mostly reverse any early losses they

incurred, while U.S. equity index futures did the same.

- The ASX 200 was the exception to the rule, with heavyweight materials

struggling, while financials struggled, as ANZ received regulatory sanctions in

NZ & yields tumbled.

- Early focus fell on the worsening coronavirus situation in both the U.S. &

Europe, as well as the ongoing, well documented matters surrounding the virus in

both Japan & South Korea, the deterioration in Syria and a weak official PMI

data out of China. The Caixin m'fing PMI print wasn't much better, but business

optimism levels in that particular survey were elevated on the back of stimulus

hopes/delivery.

- Chinese equities were the outperformer on the same stimulus hopes, with names

related to already outlined fiscal stimulus continuing to benefit.

- Nikkei 225 +0.9%, Hang Seng +0.9%, CSI 300 +3.2%, ASX 200 -0.8%.

- S&P 500 futures +14, DJIA futures +158, NASDAQ 100 futures +43.