U.S. Fiscal Matters Support Equites, Weigh On Bonds

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

• Nikkei 225 up 544.09 points at 29323.7
• ASX 200 up 51.668 points at 6892.2
• Shanghai Comp. up 37.047 points at 3533.38
• JGB 10-Yr future down 16 ticks at 151.48, yield up 0.5bp at 0.065%
• Aussie 10-Yr future down 7.0 ticks at 98.730, yield up 6.9bp at 1.261%
• U.S. 10-Yr future -0-04 at 136-18, yield up 2.42bp at 1.186%
• WTI crude up $0.61 at $57.46, Gold down $2.65 at $1811.81
• USD/JPY up 11 pips at Y105.50
• BIDEN: WILL BE 'EXTREME COMPETITION' WITH CHINA, WON'T TAKE TRUMP APPROACH (CNBC)
• DEMOCRATS CLEAR PATH FOR APPROVAL OF BIDEN'S $1.9 TRILLION COVID PACKAGE (RTRS)
• ASTRA VACCINE SHOWS LESS EFFECT AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA VARIANT (BBG)
• ITALY'S 5-STAR, LEAGUE OPEN UP TO DRAGHI GOVERNMENT, AWAIT POLICY PLANS (RTRS)
• PBOC SEES LESS CASH WITHDRAWAL DEMAND BEFORE HOLIDAY THIS YEAR (BBG)