ASIA OUTLOOK:

Risk aversion likely the theme for regional stock markets, after Wall Street falls on weaker-than-expected consumer confidence data. JPY strength could mean exporters particularly hard hit in Japan. FX markets likely to stay in range as traders watch for Fed chief Bernanke's testimony for any clues on Fed's plans to exit stimulus policy. USD/JPY at 90.20 vs 90.18 in late NY trade, EUR/USD at 1.3509 vs 1.3496, EUR/JPY at 121.86 vs 121.93. On the data slate: Japan corporate services price index, provisional trade at 2350 GMT, Australia labor price index, construction work done at 0030 GMT, HK GDP at 0830 GMT, Malaysia CPI at 0900 GMT, Malaysia GDP at 1000 GMT, India railway budget, Vietnam industrial output. Later there's German Gfk consumer climate survey, EU industrial orders. ECB member Smaghi speaks, U.S. mortgage applications, new home sales, Treasury Secretary Geithner testifies, Fed chief Bernanke testifies, U.S. oil inventories.