Asian shares near 1-1/2 week highs, Bitcoin recoups losses By Reuters – Investing.com

Asian shares near 1-1/2 week highs, Bitcoin recoups losses By Reuters – Investing.com

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© Reuters. A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin and U.S. One Dollar banknote are seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration

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By Swati Pandey SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares hovered near 1-1/2 week highs on Monday helped by expectations monetary policy will remain accommodative the world over, while COVID-19 vaccine rollouts help ease fears of another dangerous wave of coronavirus infections. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was last at 695.59, within striking distance of Friday's high of 696.48 - a level not seen since Apr. 7. The index jumped 1.2% last week and is up 5% so far this year, on track for its third straight yearly gain. "The extremely supportive monetary and fiscal policy setting continues to provide a fertile environment for risk assets," said Rodrigo Catril, senior forex strategist at National Australia Bank (OTC:). Australian shares were 0.25% higher while New Zealand's benchmark index and South Korea's added 0.4% each. eased 0.4%. On Friday, the gained 0.4% to close at a new record high while clocking its sixth straight weekly gain. The Dow finished 0.5%, also at a record high while the Nasdaq climbed 0.1%. E-mini futures