U.S. equity index futures were bid in......>

EQUITIES: U.S. equity index futures were bid in Asia-Pac hours, although it was

hard to tie that in with a specific driver. Perhaps the lack of outright

retaliation from China re: the recent U.S. actions against Huawei aided risk

sentiment (despite the verbal jousting/source reports pointing to potential

countermeasures), although that may just be a product of the U.S. administration

catching China off guard and China needing some time to respond. Elsewhere,

cautious optimism surrounding the gradual re-opening of economies in Asia,

Europe & the U.S. may have helped. Worth flagging that the sharpest round of

activity came as S&P 500 e-minis broke through Friday's session high, pointing

to a largely flow driven dynamic early on.

- The major Asian equity markets also ticked higher, even with local Q1 prelim

GDP pointing to a tech recession in Japan. Elsewhere, there were mixed signals

re: the Sino-Australian relationship ahead of a Chinese decision on Australian

barley exports later this week.

- Nikkei 225 +0.6%, Hang Seng +0.5%, CSI 300 +0.7%, ASX 200 +1.2%.

- S&P 500 futures +35, DJIA futures +288, NASDAQ 100 futures +106.