Asian markets mostly down but optimism remains in place

HONG KONG (AFP): Most Asian markets retreated Friday (April 9) as traders took their foot off the pedal ahead of a much-anticipated earnings season, while an increasingly confident mood on trading floors has analysts predicting the global equities rally still has legs.

While some countries are having trouble with their vaccine programmes and a pick-up in infections, there is a general feeling that governments will get a better hold on the crisis and allow economies to reopen, if a little later than previously hoped.