Asian stocks dip after Wall Street hit record high on stimulus hope

Asian stock markets declined Friday after Wall Street hit a new high on optimism about economic stimulus and coronavirus vaccine development despite a spike in US unemployment claims. Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong retreated. Overnight, Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index gained for a third day on optimism about progress in Washington toward a new economic aid package while the government reported the highest level of new jobless claims in three months. Market action suggested investors see bad data is good news for progress toward a stimulus, said Mizuho Bank in a report. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo lost 0.2% to 26,760.30 while the Shanghai Composite Index was down less than 0.1% at 3,403.87. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.7% to 26,490.37. The Kospi in Seoul lost less than 0.1% to 2,770.22 and Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 sank 0.7% to 6,710.00. New Zealand, Singapore and Jakarta also retreated. Investors have been waiting since before the American presidential election Nov. 3 for ...

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