Asian stocks jump on vaccine optimism, U.S. payrolls eyed

Asian shares tracked Wall Street higher on Thursday. This followed even though sentiment was dull ahead of U.S. employment data.  Meanwhile, copper prices recorded six-month highs on a bright global outlook and supply concerns in top producer Chile.

All major indexes were seen upbeat on vaccine hopes, driving MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares up with a 0.9% gain.  Japan’s Nikkei advanced 0.4% as China’s blue-chip index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index both jumped with 0.6% and 1.7% gains.

E-mini futures for the S&P 500 were flat.  

U.S. employment figures due on Thursday will determine how far the world’s largest economy can sustain its fragile recovery. This came as a concern given that several southern states have seen an upsurge in new coronavirus cases.