Hong Kong
Asian markets were mixed Monday as news of a US stimulus agreement was offset by surging virus cases and the imposition of a strict lockdown in England, while London’s FTSE and the pound sank on fears over stuttering Brexit talks.
Oil prices also tumbled as the new containment measures hammered expectations for travel over the Christmas period, with the discovery of a mutated and more infectious strain of the coronavirus in Britain also leading several governments to ban flights from the country.
After months of painful, combative talks, US lawmakers on Sunday finally announced they had reached a deal for a new economic rescue package worth nearly $900 billion. The bill includes aid for vaccine distribution and logistics, extra jobless benefits of $300 per week, and a new round of $600 stimulus checks.—AFP
