Japanese Trade Minister Akazawa affirms there are various factors that drive FX rates, but makes no specific comment, adds need to monitor and respond to FX impact on small firms

PBoC sets USD/CNY mid-point at 6.8047 vs exp. 6.7808 (prev. 6.8088)

Japanese Finance Minister Katayama says won't comment on specific FX levels, but reiterates ready to respond appropriately to currency moves

Japanese Trade Minister Akazawa affirms there are various factors that drive FX rates, but makes no specific comment, adds need to monitor and respond to FX impact on small firms

Canadian PM Carney says agreed with Alberta that the best route for a new pipeline is south through the Trans Mountain corridor to the Pacific coast, while government, Alberta and Oil Sands Alliance agreed on terms to launch pathways project

PRE-MARKET TAIWAN & SINGAPORE STOCK NEWS: Nasdaq underperformed during the prior Wall St session amid continued selling in tech and communication stocks, while the tech-heavy Asia-Pac indices retreat overnight