Asian stocks mixed with traders sensitive to Omicron developments

Asian stocks mixed with traders sensitive to Omicron developments

HONG KONG — Asian markets were mixed on Thursday and oil edged up with traders trying to claw back Omicron-induced losses but still full of uncertainty after Wall Street suffered a late plunge in response to the United States reporting its first case.

News that a patient had come down with the new variant sent shivers through US investors who fear authorities will be forced to reintroduce strict containment measures or even lockdowns, derailing the recovery in the world's top economy.

That comes on top of a widespread belief the Federal Reserve will end its vast bond-buying financial support programme faster than expected and start hiking interest rates next year to prevent inflation -- now at a three-decade high -- from running out of control.