Asian markets rally, tracking Wall St records

HONG KONG: Asian markets got off to a strong start Monday morning, recovering from last week's volatility, with traders buoyed by a record performance on Wall Street though fears about the fast-spreading Delta variant continue to weigh on sentiment.

A decision by China's central bank to loosen monetary policy slightly for lenders also provided support, while eyes will be on a string of big events this week, including US inflation data, interest rate decisions in several countries and Chinese second-quarter growth figures.

Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell will also be delivering a policy report to US lawmakers, which will be closely watched for an idea about its plans in light of the economy's strong recovery and spiking virus cases.

Meanwhile, the corporate earnings season will be kicked off in earnest by big US banks including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan.

Asian markets fall on virus fears

All three main US indexes ended Friday at new peaks thanks to optimism that the global rebound will press on into next year despite worries that vaccines are not being rolled out quick enough in parts of the world as the delta variant spreads.

Britain, the United States and Europe are all seeing jumps in new cases, though deaths remain low and hospitalisations remain manageable for now.

Asia took up the baton in early trade. Tokyo jumped more than two percent, while Shanghai and Taipei each added around one percent. Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta and Wellington were also all in positive territory.

However, analysts were worried that investors may be getting a little over-reliant on the ultra-loose monetary policies of central banks.

"Unfortunately, it has to be recognised that going forward, the longer that rates remain where they are, the more that we look towards tapering, the more severe and acute could be the reaction," Simon Ballard, of First Abu Dhabi Bank, told Bloomberg TV.

There was some cheer from news that the People's Bank of China had cut the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve, which it said would loosen about $154 billion into the world's number two economy.

"Though a move has been flagged earlier in the week by the reports of China's State Council urging just such a cut, the timing and extent -- i.e. applying to all lenders -- was earlier and more aggressive than generally anticipated," said National Australia Bank's Ray Attrill.

Investors will be keeping tabs on China-US ties after Washington on Friday announced sanctions against 34 companies and other entities involved with China's military and policy towards the Uyghur Muslim minority, and for facilitating exports to Russia and Iran.

Key figures around 0230 GMT

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 28,580.78 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.6 percent at 27,515.76

Shanghai - Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 3,559.36

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1873 from $1.1881 at 2100 GMT Friday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3896 from $1.3902

Euro/pound: UP at 85.45 from 85.43 pence

Dollar/yen: UP at 110.17 from 110.03 yen

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.1 percent at $74.50 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $75.46 per barrel

New York - DOW: UP 1.3 percent at 34,870.16 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 1.3 percent at 7,121.88 (close)