Futures Higher

Futures in South Korea are higher, but moves muted compared to earlier this week. Equity markets are lower in early trade, struggling on the back of a negative lead from the US. 10-year future up 5 ticks at 126.80, but off session highs at 126.92, and still below yesterday's range.

• The coronavirus situation continues to worsen. South Korea reported 797 daily new virus cases today, nearing 800 as growing untraceable cases, coupled with cluster infections, continued to hamper the country's virus fight against the pandemic. The daily caseload has been in the upward trend recently. The daily tally was in the 500s on Monday and Tuesday but jumped to the 700 range with 731 on Wednesday and 735 on Thursday, stoking concerns over another wave of the pandemic.
• Officials have said they are preparing to import J&J's Covid-19 vaccine as scheduled after the inoculation was approved for use by the EU drug regulator, saying benefits outweighed risks. There is no timetable for the import, but it was previously announced South Korea would take 6m doses from Q2.
• More than 2 million people have received COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea as of Thursday. Authorities have said they aim to complete inoculation of 3 million people by the end of April and 12 million people by end-June, with a goal of achieving herd immunity by November
• Markets await a 10-year inflation linked security auction, results due after 0630BST/1330HKT.