[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac stocks are mostly higher following the positive handover from Wall St, where all major indices gained amid outperformance in energy and a softer yield environment

APAC Stocks: Positive

• Asia-Pac stocks are mostly higher following the positive handover from Wall St, where all major indices gained amid outperformance in energy and a softer yield environment.

ASX 200: -0.4%

• Index was the laggard amid weakness in defensives and the top weighted financial sector, while metal and mining stocks are boosted following the recent climb in the underlying commodity prices and reports of a AUD 8.8bln takeover offer for BlueScope Steel.

Nikkei 225: +0.8%

• Rallied at the open to back above the 52,000 level with the advances led by mining and tech-related stocks.

Hang Seng & Shanghai Comp: Hang Seng +1.6% / Shanghai Comp +0.9%

• Chinese markets conform to the mostly upbeat mood in the region, with outperformance in Hong Kong led by some property names and miners, while aluminium producer China Hongqiao Group leads the advances as aluminium prices printed fresh three-year highs.

US Equity Futures: Rangebound

• US index futures remain afloat but with upside capped as they paused following the prior day's gains.

European Equity Futures +0.1%

• Indicate a mildly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1% after the cash market closed with gains of 1.3% on Monday.