With most of the region's major indices......>

STOCKS: With most of the region's major indices subject to some degree of

closure today/during this week news flow was somewhat light. As a result

equities were buoyed by weekend news surrounding North Korea, who agreed to a

public deconstruction of its nuclear test facility in May.

- Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.5%, as the real estate sector leading the way

higher, with financials not far behind. Consumer staples was the only sector to

trade lower.

- Australia's ASX 200 added 0.5% with the utilities and real estate sectors

leading the charge, however, the heavyweight materials and energy sectors lodged

the most noteworthy losses, limiting gains.

- US index futures edged higher, with the e-mini S&P adding 5 points and the

mini Dow adding 50 points.