Pandemic Headlines Remain At Fore Into Year End

Below gives key levels of markets in the second half of the Asia-Pac session:

• Nikkei 225 down 45.09 points at 28861.82
• ASX 200 up 3.593 points at 7513.4
• Shanghai Comp. up 20.425 points at 3617.59
• JGB 10-Yr future down 24 ticks at 151.6, yield up 0.8bp at 0.071%
• Aussie 10-Yr future down 9.5 ticks at 98.32, yield up 9.8bp at 1.629%
• US 10-Yr future up +0-01 at 130-08, yield down 0.69bp at 1.5427%
• WTI crude up $0.07 at $76.63, Gold down $6.02 at $1798.67
• USDJPY up 14 pips at 115.09
• U.S. COVID DEATHS FALL EVEN AS OMICRON SURGES (BBG)
• FAUCI PREDICTS OMICRON COVID WAVE WILL PEAK IN U.S. BY END OF JANUARY (CNBC)
• PARIS TO REQUIRE MASKS OUTDOORS (BBG)
• ITALY TO EASE ISOLATION RULES (BBG)
• J&J BOOSTER SLASHED OMICRON HOSPITAL STAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA (BBG)
• SOME EVERGRANDE BONDHOLDERS YET TO RECEIVE COUPONS DUE TUESDAY (BBG)