The Nikkei 225 has come into the lunch.......>

STOCKS: The Nikkei 225 has come into the lunch break up once again, every day of

this short week for Japan the Nikkei has broke for lunch higher, today 48.78pts

higher at 21003.50, a level last seen Dec 1996. 

- Generally though, Asian indices are mixed, the Hang-Seng is currently down

around 30 points but the Aussie ASX 200 has gained, the ASX began to rise post

China imports and exports data which have increased, resource stocks

contributing to the gains in ASX. The private healthcare companies are also

performing well after the Australian government unveiled reforms that make

private health care insurance simpler and easier to afford.

- All of Wall Street indices ended lower, winding down after weeks of gains as

caution settled in for Friday's impending announcement from U.S. President Trump

on the Iran Deal, after mixed signals from Fed policy makers on interest rate

hikes and also after confidence in Trump's promised tax reforms faulted.