Overview: The improvement of investor sentiment seen last week is carrying over into the start of the new weeks. Global equities are firm as are benchmark yields. Asia-Pacific equities advanced, except in Hong Kong, where Chief Executive Lam's promise to formally withdraw the controversial extradition bill failed to deter protests. European markets extended their three-week advance at the open, but are struggling to sustain the upside momentum. US shares are trading with a firmer bias. Benchmark 10-year yields are rising three-four basis points in Europe, with US Treasury yield pushing up toward 1.60%. Yields were