Trump to speak on policy directions

US President Donald Trump will address Congress today in a speech that will focus on economic opportunity and national security, according to administration officials. Mr Trump will offer a vision of where he wants to take the country, as well as provide an account of campaign promises that he has already delivered through executive actions, such as the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

HK election: Nomination process ends

The nomination process to officially qualify for the role of Hong Kong's chief executive closes today, with three candidates - former chief secretary Carrie Lam, former finance secretary John Tsang and former judge Woo Kwok Hing - securing the required number of nods from a pro-Beijing election committee to contest. Ms Lam had 579 nominations from the committee, compared with Mr Tsang's 160 and Mr Woo's 180. The election is on March 26.

China's manufacturing PMI out today

China will release official and private data of its manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) today. Analysts expect the official PMI to edge down to 51.1 for last month, from 51.3 in January. The private Caixin/Markit survey, which focuses more on small and mid-sized firms, may come in at 50.8, down slightly from January's reading of 51.0.

Readings above 50 indicate expansion on a monthly basis.