LONDON: Stock markets rebounded Monday but investor optimism over the global recovery was kept in check by worries over the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant as well as China's regulatory crackdown.
Signs that US lawmakers were edging towards agreement on President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill were unable to provide much of a boost, while eyes were on the release of US jobs data at the end of the week as firms struggle to fill positions.
On the corporate front, shares in Sydney-listed Afterpay surged nearly 19 percent after US digital payments platform Square, led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, said it would purchase the buy-now, pay-later company for US$29 billion.
In the latest sign of an upbeat global outlook, figures last week showed the US economy had returned to its pre-pandemic level -- though at a slower pace than expected -- while the eurozone expanded at a much better rate than forecast.
However, observers said the rally that world markets have enjoyed for much of the past year was sputtering as investors grow increasingly concerned about spiking inflation that many have warned could force central banks to taper their ultra-loose monetary policies.
Added to that are the slow Covid-19 vaccination programmes in some countries and the rapid spread of the Delta variant that has led to the reimposition of lockdowns and other containment measures.
Among those suffering a spike in cases is economic powerhouse China, which managed to bring the disease largely under control but some of its cities are being forced to introduce new control measures.
Fed boosts bonds, Delta blues stall stocks
"Shares remain at risk of a short-term correction or volatility as coronavirus cases rise globally, the inflation scare continues and as we come into seasonally weaker months," said Shane Oliver at AMP Capital.
"But surging company profits in the US and lower bond yields are providing support."
Nervous traders are keeping tabs on China also after authorities there last week embarked on a crackdown on the country's private tuition firms as well as the tech and property sectors.
The moves raised concern that other industries could be next, despite officials and state media trying to calm markets in the face of a rout.
Key figures around 1045 GMT
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.9 percent at 7,097.66 points
Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.1 percent at 15,558.54
Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.7 percent at 6,660.36
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.6 percent at 4,112.11
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 27,781.02 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.1 percent at 26,235.80 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: UP 2.0 percent at 3,464.29 (close)
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 34,935.47 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1889 from $1.1876 Friday
Euro/pound: UP at 85.49 pence from 85.34 pence
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3906 from $1.3908
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 109.54 yen from 109.66 yen
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 1.3 percent at $74.40 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 1.6 percent at $73.18 per barrel
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