Asian shares reach high grounds on vaccine hopes

An index of Asian shares tallied a three-week peak on Wednesday as investors eyed the upcoming earnings season for additional signs of a global economic rebound.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.3%, marking its second consecutive day of gains. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei traded higher, while Australian shares recorded a 0.6% increase.

South Korea’s KOSPI had seen a 0.5% jump. Chinese shares bucked the upswing, with the CSI300 index plunging 1% after an upbeat performance last week. Wall Street tallied a subdued performance, with its three major indexes closing lower overnight.

Apart from the United States’ job openings report, investors’ sentiment was also fueled by the upcoming earnings season as corporate results would indicate recent positive economic data.