NAB National Australia Bank Limited

0125 GMT [Dow Jones] Australia's S&P/ASX 200 remains down 0.5% at 5078 after China's official manufacturing PMI for February came in at 50.1, below the 50.4 reading for January, yet near enough to the 50.5 level expected by the market. Still, the fall could renew concerns about momentum in the world's second-largest economy, after growth began rebounding in the fourth quarter last year. Resources are still weighing on the market, with BHP (BHP.AU), Rio Tinto (RIO.AU), Newcrest (NCM.AU) and Woodside (WPL.AU) down 0.8%-3.4%. Banks are outperofrming, with CBA (CBA.AU), NAB (NAB.AU) and Westpac (WBC.AU) up 0.2%-0.7%. HSBC's final PMI is due at 0145 GMT. (david.rogers1@wsj.com)

 
Contact us in Singapore. 65 64154 140; MarketTalk@dowjones.com 
 
 

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires