· Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as vaccine optimism clashes with economic worries
Asia-Pacific markets retraced some losses on Thursday to trade mixed as traders grappled with optimism around a potential coronavirus vaccine and economic worries.
In Australia, the benchmark ASX 200 erased earlier losses to finish up 0.25% at 6,547.20. The so-called Big Four banks closed higher, with Westpac up by 2.31%. Major miners were mixed, with BHP down by 0.87%.
· Japan stocks end lower after Tokyo goes on highest virus alert
Japanese stocks fell for a second session on Thursday after Tokyo issued its most severe warning about a record daily cases of the coronavirus that raised concerns about further restrictions on the country's economic activity.
The Nikkei 225 Index ended down 0.36% at 25,634.34, while the broader Topix recovered from early losses to end 0.33% higher at 1,726.41, lifted by industrial sector shares.
Tokyo's daily tally of new cases set for a record high of more than 500 while its governor warned of a worse scenario unless action is taken.
Japan's nationwide tally also hit a record high. But it is the spread of the virus in Tokyo, which hopes to stage a re-scheduled Olympic Games next year, that worries investors the most.
Infections are also rising rapidly in the United States, raising concerns about the economic health of the world's largest economy.
· China stocks close firmer as investors eye stimulus plan
Chinese stocks ended higher on Thursday, led by consumer shares, as investors cheered news of Beijing’s pledge to boost domestic consumption and promote an innovation-driven growth model to salvage a pandemic-ravaged economy.
The blue-chip CSI300 index ended 0.7% higher at 4,927.99, while the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.5% to 3,363.09 points.
· European markets open lower as shutdown fears outweigh vaccine news
European stocks opened lower Thursday as a rally prompted by positive vaccine news starts to peter out amid renewed fears of shutdowns due to rising coronavirus cases.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.7% in early trade, oil and gas stocks dropping 1.6% to lead losses as all sectors and major bourses slid into negative territory.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC
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