GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares kick-off week on cautious note as COVID-19 cases spike
Reuters
6 hrs ago
* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* COVID-19 cases rise in Asia and Australia
* Markets give thumbs up to U.S. bipartisan infrastructure deal
* Oil climbs to highest since Oct. 2018
* Currency markets activity muted
By Swati Pandey
SYDNEY, June 28 (Reuters) - Asian shares got the week off to a cautious start on Monday, with Chinese markets holding steady, as a spike in coronavirus cases across the region over the weekend hurt investor sentiment while oil hovered around 2-1/2 year highs.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was last a shade weaker at 702.57. Australian shares slipped 0.2%. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI was barely changed as was Japan's Nikkei.