U.S. Fiscal Matters Still Dominating The Headlines

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

• Nikkei 225 up 259.64 points at 29799.08
• ASX 200 down 1.455 points at 6972.5
• Shanghai Comp. down 0.273 points at 3412.675
• JGB 10-Yr future up 1 tick at 151.23, yield down 0.3bp at 0.105%
• Aussie 10-Yr future down 3.5 ticks at 98.230, yield up 2.9bp at 1.802%
• US 10-Yr future -0-04+ at 131-15+, yield up 2.49bp at 1.691%
• WTI crude up $0.32 at $60.01, Gold down $3.41 at $1729.12
• USD/JPY up 33 pips at Y109.71
• FED'S BULLARD: 75% VACCINATIONS WOULD ALLOW FOR TAPER DEBATE (BBG)
• BIDEN: PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE SCOPE OF INFRA PLAN & HOW TO PAY FOR IT (CNBC)
• OFFICIAL: BIDEN'S GAS TAX COMMENTS EXPLAIN WHY DOESN'T FAVOUR HIKING (RTRS)
• YELLEN PLANS TO SPARE CHINA FROM CURRENCY MANIPULATOR LABEL (BBG)
• CHINESE TRADE SURPLUS NARROWER THAN EXP. AS EXPORTS MISS AND IMPORTS BEAT
• STUDY: UK COVID VARIANT ISN'T LINKED TO MORE SEVERE DISEASE OR DEATH