World Asian markets mixed as virus, weak data subdue vaccine rally

Asian traders took a breather Thursday after this month's vaccine-fuelled markets rally, with profit-takers moving in while keeping an eye on virus infections across the globe that are forcing governments to impose containment measures.

© Angela Weiss As the US prepares for Thanksgiving, several cities around the world including New York have been forced to impose containment measures

With at least three inoculations in the pipeline and possibly rolled out within weeks, the general mood on trading floors is upbeat for 2021, but a fresh batch of data out of the US underlined the immediate impact of the disease and the long road ahead for economies.

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Emerging Markets . Latin America. Market Data . Investing. TOKYO — Asian shares were mostly higher Tuesday, encouraged by news on the development of coronavirus The string of upbeat news about vaccine development has been butting up against increased caution as the virus continues to

And notes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting warned that the country's recovery would be tougher without a new stimulus package.

Official figures showed applications for jobless aid rose for a second straight week as businesses were hit by a sharp increase in new infections and deaths that have led several major cities including New York and Los Angeles to close bars and restaurants.

The readings gave traders a dose of reality following weeks of fervent buying in reaction to vaccine successes and Joe Biden's election victory.

The crisis elsewhere was laid bare as Britain warned it expects to suffer its heaviest annual slump in more than three centuries, with the economy tipped to shrink 11.3 percent in 2020.

Pfizer and BioNTech have applied for emergency approval for their Covid-19 vaccine

The companies say their vaccine could begin distribution to high-risk people by mid-December.If granted an EUA, the BNT162b2 vaccine could be administered to certain high-risk groups in the United States — most likely health workers — as soon as mid-December. Pfizer and BioNTech are filing for similar approvals in other countries as well.

Asian markets struggled Thursday as a week-long rally sputters, with sentiment split between vaccine hopes and Joe Biden's election win on one side and fears over a surge in virus cases that threatens any economic recovery.

Asian shares got the week off to a hesitant start on Monday as surging coronavirus cases in Europe and the United states undermined the Data due out Thursday is forecast to show U.S. economic output rebounded by 31.9% in the third quarter, after Last week's market rally showed real power.

The Dow and S&P 500 ended lower Wednesday after hitting records the day before, while the Nasdaq hit a new all-time high as tech firms -- which have benefited from people being forced to stay home -- surged.

Asian markets drifted, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta up but Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Manila and Wellington falling.

- 'Increased downside risks' -

Still, analysts were positive about the outlook, with UBS Global Wealth Management's Xi Qiao saying: "We believe the market rally can continue from here powered by all the positive vaccine news, more political clarity with a peaceful White House transition and with more stimulus to come.

"We are already seeing a strong rotation into cyclical and reopening trades with the vaccine news and we expect this trend to continue."

But Fed officials are worried the US economy faces continued pain unless lawmakers agree on a new rescue deal, with minutes showing they said no action would mean "significant hardships for a number of households".

Board members considered the surge in Covid-19 cases "a downside risk to the recovery", while some noted that the worsening odds for a new spending plan "increased downside risks and added to uncertainty about the economic outlook".

Gorilla Trades strategist Ken Berman said the minutes left investors slightly disappointed as they did not give any indication of when the bank might unveil fresh monetary easing measures.

However, most observers said the weakening economic data would more than likely press the Fed to make an announcement soon, possibly next month.

Oil prices extended gains -- having put on almost 30 percent this month -- with the rollout of vaccines lifting hopes for a surge in demand as life gets back to normal.

- Key figures around 0300 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.7 percent at 26,470.28 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.1 percent at 26,693.94

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,353.17

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1925 from $1.1914 at 2200 GMT

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3390 from $1.3378

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 104.32 yen from 104.45 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 89.02 from 89.05 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $46.05 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.9 percent at $49.05 per barrel

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.6 percent at 29,872.47 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 percent at 6,391.09 (close)

dan/oho