Asia: Stocks lifted by vaccine hopes, but new cases cause concern

[HONG KONG] Hopes for a vaccine helped push Asian equities higher Friday following another tech-inspired record on Wall Street, with investors brushing off a surprisingly weak US jobs report, though optimism remains checked by the spreading virus and the US stimulus stalemate.

While vast central bank support has helped fan a surge in equities globally, titans such as Amazon and Apple have been major winners as the pandemic keeps billions of people stuck at home, pushing the Nasdaq to numerous records, and Thursday marked the latest.

The advances came despite news that 1.1 million Americans made new claims for unemployment benefits last week, reinforcing concerns about the world's biggest economy.

However, observers said the reading could give warring lawmakers in Washington the kick-start they need to agree a new rescue package, having failed to reach a consensus after two weeks.

But a tough week for regional markets looked set to end on a positive note, with optimism lifted after Pfizer and BioNTech SE said a vaccine they are working on could be up for regulatory review by October.

If all goes well, a treatment could be ready to roll out as soon as November.

While massive financial support from central banks and governments has been crucial to helping economies, a vaccine for a disease that has killed nearly 800,000 people and infected more than 22 million is seen as paramount.

'MUCH BETTER POSITION'

The news "has raised some expectation... that life around the world could return to normal sooner than expected", said AxiCorp's Stephen Innes.

"This is not only for good market concerns, this is a world desperately anxious for a cure to put an end to the most severe global recession since the 1930s so people can start to piece their lives back together.

"From a stock market concern, it's great for growth assets as planes will fly, the oil will flow, and laggard industries will emerge from the Covid-19 fog, and their stocks will soar. Indeed, with a vaccine cure, a trip to your local clinic could be the one-stop recession plugger before the year is out."

Hong Kong rose 0.7 per cent in the morning, while Sydney went into the break 0.3 per cent higher and Shanghai gained 0.5 per cent.

Seoul jumped one per cent and Taipei rallied 1.5 per cent, with Singapore and Wellington also up, though Sydney inched down.

However, the disease continues to spread, and is seeing a resurgence in Europe - just as the rate of new US cases appears to be easing - largely because of renewed travel, summer holidays and parties.

Italy saw its highest daily tally since May, France reported 4,700 fresh infections - a massive increase on the previous day - Spain's daily jump beat even those of France, while Germany's was at a four-month high.

Despite this, the head of the World Health Organization's European branch said new widespread lockdowns would not be needed.

"With the basic nationwide and additional targeted measures, we are in a much better position to stamp out these localised virus flare-ups," Hans Kluge, told reporters. "We can manage the virus and keep the economy running and an education system in operation."

And Ken Berman at Gorilla Trades said: "The likelihood of another round of full lockdowns is decreasing, even in the case of a full-blown second wave of outbreaks, and that could continue to support risk assets in the coming months.

"Despite the improving outlook, risks remain high, and volatility could still rise in the usually more active last quarter of the year."

KEY FIGURES AROUND 0230 GMT:

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 per cent at 22,953.66 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.7 per cent at 24,972.55

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.5 per cent at 3,380.59

Euro/US dollar: UP at US$1.1866 from US$1.1860 at 2045 GMT

US dollar/yen: DOWN at 105.67 yen from 105.78 yen

Pound/US dollar: UP at US$1.3228 from US$1.3215

Euro/pound: DOWN at 89.70 pence from 89.74 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 per cent at US$42.90 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.4 per cent at US$45.06 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 0.2 per cent at 27,739.73 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.6 per cent at 6,013.34 (close)

AFP