[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac stocks are mixed but with the region mostly positive following the record highs on Wall St

APAC Stocks: Mixed/Mostly Positive

• Asia-Pac stocks trade somewhat mixed but with the region mostly positive following the fresh record levels on Wall St.

ASX 200: +0.3%

• Marginally gained amid strength in tech and defensives, while participants also digested monthly inflation data, which printed softer-than-expected but remained sticky.

Nikkei 225: %

• Japanese stocks lagged amid frictions with China after the latter imposed export controls on dual-use items to Japan.

Hang Seng & Shanghai Comp: Hang Seng -0.9% / Shanghai Comp +0.1%

• Chinese markets diverged with the Hong Kong benchmark pressured by losses in energy names and tech stocks following a decline in oil prices, and with platform names pressured by China announcing management measures for online platforms. Conversely, the mainland is kept afloat but with upside limited following a substantial net liquidity drain of around CNY 500bln in the PBoC's open market operations.

US Equity Futures: Rangebound

• Lack of direction with index futures pausing following their recent rally.

European Equity Futures +0.2%

• Indicate a positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.2% after the cash market eked gains of 0.1% on Tuesday.