The major regional equity mkts mostly........>

STOCKS: The major regional equity mkts mostly traded a touch higher in Asia-Pac

hours, after President Trump provided a gesture of goodwill to China in the form

of a 2-week delay re: the next round of tariffs to be levied on Chinese goods.

- The positive lead from Wall St. also helped with U.S. equity index futures

extending on Wednesday's gains in Asian hours. The e-mini S&P now sits within 20

points of its all-time high (based on a continuation chart) making further

inroads above the 3,000 level.

- The Hang Seng underperformed after yesterday's outperformance that some

attributed to (incorrect) rumours suggesting that the HK Chief Exec was set to

grant further concessions to the protestors demands. In terms of stock

specifics, the HKEx struggled on the back of its offer to purchase the London

Stock Exchange, while various source reports suggested that AB InBev is testing

the waters re: the HK IPO of its Asia-Pac unit, after the previous effort was

cancelled in the late stages just a few short months ago.

- Nikkei 225 +0.9%, Hang Seng -0.4%, CSI 300 +0.5%, ASX 200 +0.2%.

- S&P 500 futures +11, DJIA futures +117, NASDAQ 100 futures +44.