A man wearing a protective face mask talks on his cellphone in front of a screen showing the Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan. Picture: REUTERS/ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA
“Reflation on the back of US fiscal stimulus and positive vaccine news remains the major theme for markets,” strategists at National Australia Bank wrote. In more volatile cryptocurrency markets, bitcoin briefly passed $47,000 for the first time, a 20% rise, before paring gains. It was last at $45,669.
Oil prices continued to rise on Tuesday to 13-month highs. Brent rose 33c, or 0.54%, US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $58.34 a barrel, up 37c, or 0.64%.