Asian shares gain on vaccine optimism

Asian share markets recorded an upbeat performance on Monday. This could be attributed to AstraZeneca’s resumption of its third phase of vaccine clinical trials. However, market sentiment remained cautious as investors await a series of central bank meetings in the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan tallied a 0.5% gain, on track for its second consecutive session of earnings. Australian shares were seen 0.2% higher, while Japan’s benchmark index Nikkei advanced 0.3%.

E-mini futures for the S&P 500 jumped 0.8% brought by a mixed performance on Wall Street seen last week.

It has been six months already since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus as a global crisis. Since then, leading economies suffered and millions were left unemployed. These pressing issues prompted central banks to inject large volumes of stimulus.