(Corrects reference to Nikkei move as Japanese markets are
closed on Monday)
* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* Asian shares start in the red, Japan closed for holiday
* Lofty share valuations, fading U.S. stimulus major risks
* Fresh wave of coronavirus infections in Europe also a
worry
* Currencies steady, U.S. dollar near 3-1/2 mth low on yen
By Swati Pandey
SYDNEY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Asian shares held to tight
ranges on Monday, as did currencies, as investors awaited
developments on U.S. fiscal stimulus and coronavirus vaccines
amid a resurgence of infections in Europe.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS was a shade weaker, though it was not too far
from a June 2018 peak at 568.84.
Australian .AXJO and New Zealand .NZ50 shares both
opened in the red while South Korea's KOSPI .KS11 was 0.1% up.
U.S. stock futures, the S&P 500 e-minis ESc1 , were down
0.16%.
Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday.
"Attention is turning back to negotiations on supplementary
fiscal stimulus and the forthcoming U.S. election," ANZ analysts
wrote in a note.
Coronavirus cases have now surpassed 30 million, casting a
gloomy pall over prospects of a V-shaped economic recovery.
The biggest threat to global growth is a resurgent pandemic,
with analysts fearing growth and inflation could surprise on the
downside in the coming year. A lack of material development on
U.S. stimulus package is also an overhang, they said.
Adding to worries, European countries from Denmark to Greece
announced new restrictions on Friday to curb surging coronavirus
infections in some of their largest cities, while Britain was
reported to be considering a new national lockdown. "Where is the inspiration for the equity bulls, I ask? We
have diminishing prospects of fiscal stimulus, crazy valuations
and a firm focus on an ugly U.S. election and COVID shutdowns,
which suggest short-term risks for equities," said Pepperstone
strategist Chris Weston.
"Of course, the lack of early movement may be a red herring
as the news, perhaps the Oracle/TikTok deal aside, can hardly be
perceived as positive, but there has been no risk aversion
expressed in FX, through this illiquid period."
In currencies, the dollar held near a more than 3-1/2 month
trough against the safe-haven yen at 104.52 JPY= .
The euro EUR= was up 0.1% on the day at $1.1845 and has
lost 0.76% in a month, while the risk sensitive Australian
dollar AUD=D3 was flat at $0.7289.
The British pound GBP= was up 0.1% at $1.2930.
That left dollar index =USD , which tracks the greenback
against a basket of six major rivals, barely changed at 92.956.
Currency strategists said dollar weakness may signal more
volatility ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. elections where Republican
President Donald Trump will face off against Democratic
challenger Joe Biden.
Pepperstone's Weston expects the safe haven yen to remain
well bid.
"In a world where real rate differentials increasingly drive
capital flows, in developed market, FX Japan has the highest and
positive real yields, and even more so when adjusting for
hedging costs," Weston said.
"This makes the JPY very attractive, especially against the
GBP and USD, where real rates are not just negative but in the
case of the Fed, they are actively seeking lower rates out."
In commodities, U.S. crude CLc1 slipped 0.46% to $40.92 a
barrel. Brent crude LCOc1 fell to $42.99 per barrel.
Gold was slightly lower, with spot prices XAU= at $1,949.6 per
ounce. GOL/
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Asia-Pacific valuations https://tmsnrt.rs/2Dr2BQA
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(Editing by Sam Holmes)