GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares near 1-1/2 week highs, Bitcoin recoups losses – Investing.com India

GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares near 1-1/2 week highs, Bitcoin recoups losses – Investing.com India

* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4* Australia, NZ, South Korea share markets firm, Nikkei off 0.4%* fell 14% on Sunday, recoups losses in early Monday trading* Currencies tread water, U.S. dollar near 4-week lowsBy Swati PandeySYDNEY, April 19 (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.Australian shares were 0.25% higher while New Zealand's benchmark index and South Korea's KOSPI added 0.4% each. Japan's Nikkei eased 0.4%.On Friday, the S&P 500 gained 0.4% to close at a new record high while clocking its sixth straight weekly gain. The Dow finished 0.5%,