Asian markets mostly down as traders prepare for big week

HONG KONG (AFP): Asian markets mostly fell Monday (Dec 7) following last week's rally as investors prepare for a big week that could see the vaccine rollout begin in earnest and US lawmakers agree on a new stimulus, while post-Brexit trade talks remain on a knife-edge.

But while the general consensus is for a strong recovery in 2021 as billions are inoculated, the surge in virus cases around the world and ongoing China-US tensions continue to keep a lid on sentiment.