SINGAPORE, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Asian equities were subdued on Wednesday, while the dollar held firm, with investors looking for direction after China took further steps towards reopening its COVID-battered economy.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) slid 0.13%, snapping a two-day winning streak and looking set to end the last month of the year in the red.
Japan’s Nikkei (.N225) opened 0.5% lower at the open, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) lost 0.43%.
China stocks (.SSEC) were set to open slightly lower, while the Hong Kong stock market (.HSI) opened 1% higher, encouraged by China’s Monday announcement it would stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8.
A faster than anticipated peak of infection has stoked expectations that a quick economic recovery is on the cards.
Wall Street ended lower overnight as U.S. Treasury yields pressured…
