Asian equities were set for a modest rise on Tuesday as investors weighed progress in U.S. government stimulus efforts against rising tensions with China and the growing coronavirus pandemic, while gold hit a record high.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were up 0.54per cent, Japan's Nikkei 225 futures rose 0.11per cent and Australian S&P/ASX 200 futures were up 0.43per cent.Australia, on Tuesday, is set to release consumer confidence and payroll data. "The Republican plan is weak tea, when our problems need a much stronger brew," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.
Moderna Inc's vaccine against COVID-19 could be ready for widespread use by the end of this year, U.S. and company officials said, after the drugmaker announced the start of a 30,000-subject trial. But the moves could backfire, said CommSec's Felsman."There's a lot of risk for investors that those earnings results may not be as good as expected," said Felsman.