Asian markets mixed as inflation spectre hangs

HONG KONG (AFP): Asian markets were mixed Tuesday (March 23) as investors struggled to build momentum following recent sell-offs owing to long-running fears that the expected global recovery will force central banks to wind down their easy-money programmes earlier than hoped.

While Wall Street provided a positive lead with all three main indexes posting healthy gains, there is a reluctance on trading floors to push a year-long rally any further, while a stuttering vaccine rollout and new lockdowns in Europe are adding to the angst.