Asian stocks mixed on fading U.S. stimulus hopes, virus concerns
By Suzanne Barlyn NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian markets were off to a mixed start on Thursday as hopes of U.S. fiscal stimulus before the presidential election faded and a record number of new coronavirus infections in parts of Europe propelled investors toward safe-havens such as gold

By Suzanne Barlyn
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian markets were off to a mixed start on Thursday as hopes of U.S. fiscal stimulus before the presidential election faded and a record number of new coronavirus infections in parts of Europe propelled investors toward safe-havens such as gold.
Related Articles
Downbeat comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that a stimulus deal was unlikely be made before the Nov. 3 vote weighed on fragile investor sentiment.
With COVID-19 cases surging, some European nations are closing schools as authorities braced for a repeat of the nightmare scenario seen earlier this year.
In a mixed Asian open, Australian equities bucked Wall Street declines, opening slightly higher because of "good support" for material and mining stocks, said Michael McCarthy, CMC Markets chief market strategist.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> slipped 0.1%.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 <.AXJO> rose 0.6%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 <.N225> fell 0.3%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures <.HSI> <.HSIc1> were down 0.49%.
E-mini futures for the S&P 500
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average <.DJI> fell 0.58%, the S&P 500 <.SPX> lost 0.66% and the Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> dropped 0.8%.
Bank of America
Gold gained 1% on Wednesday, rebounding from a sharp decline in the previous session, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar and economic uncertainties.
Spot gold
The Australian dollar
E-mini futures for the S&P 500
Australia is set to release September unemployment data on Thursday.
Tensions between Beijing and Washington remain in view as the U.S. State Department has submitted a proposal for the Trump administration to add China's Ant Group
Investors are also tracking Brexit talks, as the deadline for a pact on the European Union's relations with Britain nears. EU leaders meeting on Thursday and Friday will tell their Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to step up talks to get a deal by Jan. 1, 2021.
The U.S. dollar index <=USD>, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, fell 0.15%, after pulling its best day in three weeks on Tuesday, with the euro
In a sign that some investors preferred traditionally safer assets for now, the yen
A weaker dollar, which makes oil cheaper for holders of other currencies, supported oil prices.
Brent crude
(Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn; Editing by Sam Holmes)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
also read

South Korean woman linked to scandal to be extradited from Denmark - prosecutor | Reuters
COPENHAGEN A South Korean woman wanted for questioning in connection with the scandal that brought down president Park Geun-hye has withdrawn her appeal against extradition from Denmark, the Danish state prosecutor said on Wednesday.

Pope asks Trump to be peacemaker, gives him environmental letter | Reuters
By Philip Pullella and Steve Holland | VATICAN CITY VATICAN CITY Pope Francis urged U.S.