. . "n over 1% as they were in catch up mode after Mondays weakness on SP downgrade of US credit rating- In China, the HSBC Manufacturing PMI number came in flat m/m- may suggest growth is stabilizing- In Japan, chipmakers/semi name were weak following TXNs statement yesterday that the earthquake would slow production in Q2- European bourses are trading higher- Fairly strong earnings out of Novartis (N" . .