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

STOCKS: The major regional equity markets are mixed at writing with Chinese & HK

equities moving away from lows on the back of a RTRS report which noted that

Chinese state media has indicated that the PBoC will set up a policy framework

to implement relatively low RRR for small and medium sized banks. The report

notes that the banks will use the funds released from lower RRR to support

private and small companies.

- The Nikkei 225 managed to edge higher, aided by solid enough corporate

earnings and media reports pointing to M&A activity in the chemical space.

- Nikkei 225 +0.4%, Hang Seng -0.1%, CSI 300 -0.6%, ASX 200 closed.

- U.S. equity index futures trade a touch higher, with earnings season in focus.

- S&P 500 futures +4, DJIA futures +18, NASDAQ 100 futures +22.