MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.38%, pushing past a previous record high touched on Friday. Trading activity was thin early in the Asian day, with Japanese markets closed for a holiday. The regional index also got a boost from Australian shares which gained 0.81% as the country eased some Covid-19 restrictions. In contrast, in the United States - where Covid-19 infections are quickening, total cases topped 12 million over the weekend and more than 255,000 have died - many hopes are focused on rapid vaccine rollouts. US crude rose 0.07% to $42.45 a barrel and global benchmark Brent crude rose 0.33% to $45.11 per barrel.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 23, 2020 03:21 UTC