Hong Kong
Asian markets rallied Wednesday as investors cheered news that the White House had put forward a fresh stimulus proposal of more than $900 billion, lifting hopes US lawmakers could pass a deal before Christmas. The prospect of a rescue package for the world’s top economy helped revive equities, which have drifted for most of the month after November’s surge, while the rollout of vaccines in Britain and imminent authorisation in the US has added to the optimism. However, spiking virus cases around the world and the imposition of tough containment measures continues to cast a long, dark shadow over trading floors. Eyes are also on Brussels, where UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to hold crunch talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on a post-Brexit trade deal.— AFP
