Investors have been encouraged by progress in developing vaccines. But optimism has been dented by rising infection numbers in the United States and some other markets, which prompted renewed curbs on business.Overnight, Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index slipped 0.1% after the government reported more people than expected applied for unemployment last week. The index hit an all-time high on Tuesday.
The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1% to 3,338.69 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo shed 0.4% to 26,654.05. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 0.3% to 26,485.23.India's Sensex opened up 0.7% at 46,299.57. New Zealand and Singapore advanced while Jakarta declined. On Thursday, a proposed US$908 billion aid deal all but collapsed after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators won't support giving $160 billion to state and local governments. Republicans are pressing for a measure that would shield companies from potential coronavirus-related lawsuits.