Investor sentiment is depressed at the start of the week.
(Photo: AP)
Sydney Investors in Asia are pulling out of the markets at the beginning of the week. There is growing concern among stockbrokers that the stricter measures in Europe due to rising Omikron cases could burden the global economy into the new year. “Omikron will be the Grinch who stole Christmas from Europe,” said Tapas Strickland, director of economics at NAB, referring to the green creature from the pen of Dr. Seuss, who hates Christmas. “Since the Omikron cases double every 1.5 to 3 days, there is a risk that the hospitals themselves will be overwhelmed with effective vaccines.”
The Nikkei index, which comprises 225 values, was 2.2 percent lower at 27,917 points. The broader Topix index fell 1.8 percent and stood at 1950 points.
The Shanghai stock exchange was 0.8 percent in the red. The index of the most important companies in Shanghai and Shenzen lost 1 percent. In Asian foreign exchange trading, the dollar lost 0.1 percent to 113.51 yen and gained 0.1 percent to 6.3782 yuan. In relation to the Swiss currency, it was quoted hardly changed at 0.9234 francs. At the same time, the euro rose 0.1 percent to 1.1249 dollars and was barely changed at 1.0389 francs. The pound sterling lost 0.1 percent to $ 1.3226.
More: The U-turn of the central banks has consequences: A rough wind is blowing towards investors. Instead of highly valued hopes, real profits are now required. Special ETFs help with this.
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