GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks at record high as risk trade continues, dollar under pressure

* Highly anticipated vaccine facing more scrutiny
* Bitcoin extends Thursday's big losses
* USD index set to close at 2-1/2 year low
* U.S. markets on shortened hours after Thanksgiving holiday
* Graphic: 2020 asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

(Updates prices, changes comment, dateline; previous LONDON)
By Rodrigo Campos
NEW YORK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Stocks across the globe rose on Friday and
remained on track for their strongest monthly performance on record as recent
vaccine progress, Joe Biden's U.S. presidential election win and a weaker dollar
continue to entice risk-taking.
A global stock index touched a record high for the third session this week
while the dollar index, a measure of the greenback versus six peers, was on
track to close at its lowest since May 2018.
On Wall Street, the main indexes rose and the Nasdaq Composite hit a record
high as optimism around an economic rebound next year outweighed concerns over
an expected surge in coronavirus infections following the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 66.14 points, or 0.22%, to
29,938.61, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 13.17 points, or 0.36%, to 3,642.82 and the
Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 135.94 points, or 1.12%, to 12,230.34.
U.S. stock markets will close at 1:00 p.m. New York time (1800 UCT), three
hours earlier than usual. Bond trading closes at 2:00 p.m.
The risk-on moves were not deterred by questions over trial data on
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 "vaccine for the world," even as several scientists
sounded caution over the trial results. European stocks rose after the European Central Bank reinforced expectations
of further stimulus next month and Sweden's Riksbank made a surprise increase to
its quantitative-easing program. The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.26% and MSCI's gauge of
stocks across the globe .MIWD00000PUS gained 0.44% to 624.07 after touching a
high of 624.29.
Emerging market stocks rose 0.12%, while Japan's Nikkei .N225 rose 0.40%.
Australian shares .AXJO ended down 0.5% with Treasury Wine Estates
TWE.AX down 11.25% as China imposed new tariffs on Australian wine, the latest
move in the countries' long-running trade row. The European Union and Britain said substantial differences remained over a
Brexit trade deal, as the EU chief negotiator prepared to travel to London in a
last-ditch attempt to avoid a tumultuous finale to the five-year crisis.
Sterling, which has climbed over 3% against the dollar this month, was last
trading at $1.3349, down 0.04% on the day. GBP/
"Clearly, there are substantial and important differences still to be
bridged, but we're getting on with it," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
told reporters.
The dollar index =USD fell 0.274%, with the euro EUR= up 0.32% to
$1.1951.
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.28% versus the greenback at 103.98 per
dollar.
The yield on benchmark Treasury notes US10YT=RR fell as some investors
sought the safety of holding government debt. The 10-year notes last rose 7/32
in price to yield 0.8569%, from 0.878% late on Wednesday.
Oil prices, up for a fourth straight week, were mixed.
U.S. crude CLc1 recently fell 0.66% to $45.41 per barrel and Brent LCOc1
was at $48.10, up 0.63% on the day.
Bitcoin BTC=BTSP fell 3.06% to $16,634.18 after tumbling 8.4% in the
previous session. The cryptocurrency brushed against its record high of $19,666
earlier this week and has rallied around 130% this year, fueled by demand for
riskier assets.
Spot gold XAU= dropped 1.5% to $1,783.36 an ounce. Silver XAG= fell
3.30% to $22.68.

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World FX rates in 2020 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
2020 asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
Emerging market stocks' November to remember https://tmsnrt.rs/33lYqQq
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