GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian markets start on firm footing on vaccine, U.S. aid hopes

* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* MSCI ex-Japan up 0.26%, Nikkei climbs about 1%
* Pfizer could have coronavirus vaccine ready by end-2020
* Pelosi optimistic of U.S. fiscal aid before Nov elections
* Currencies tread water, oil slightly higher

By Swati Pandey
SYDNEY, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Asian markets started higher on
Monday, buoyed by hopes of a U.S fiscal package before the U.S.
presidential elections next month and expectations of a
coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year, though the mood was
still cautious as infections jump.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS added 0.26% for its second straight day of
gains.
The index has risen in eight of the last 10 sessions amid a
rally in risk assets buoyed by hopes of a coronavirus vaccine
and expectations of a so called "blue wave", which would see the
Democrats claim victory in November's elections.
Boosting overall sentiment, drugmaker Pfizer Inc PFE.N
said on Friday it could have a coronavirus vaccine ready in the
United States by the end of this year. Japan's Nikkei .N225 climbed about 1% while South Korea's
KOSPI and Australian shares .AXJO were up 0.7% each.
New Zealand .NZ50 was a tad lower after Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern won a second term at elections over the weekend,
having risen over the week in anticipation of such a result.
E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1 jumped 0.5% in early
Asian trading after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday
she was optimistic legislation on a wide-ranging coronavirus
relief package could be pushed through before the election.

But with her negotiating partner, Treasury Secretary Steven
Mnuchin, in the Middle East until Tuesday, such a timeframe
would seem to be overly optimistic, analysts said.
Investors are also concerned about rising coronavirus cases
to help curb the spread of the disease.
Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the
first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of
Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.
Investors now await China's third-quarter gross domestic
product (GDP), monthly production and retail sales due later in
the Asia morning.
"Chinese growth has bounced back well from its early
COVID-19 losses and this data will be key to identify how the
economy has progressed," said Steven Dooley, chief strategist at
Western Union Business Solutions.
Later in the week, key events include minutes of Australia's
central bank meeting, the final U.S. presidential debate and
global manufacturing indicators.
Action in currencies was muted with the U.S. dollar, usually
perceived as a safe-haven asset, =USD flat at 93.696 against a
basket of six major currencies. USD/
The euro EUR= was also unchanged at $1.1715.
Sterling traded near two-week lows at $1.2925 after UK Prime
Minister Boris Johnson told businesses to get ready for a
no-deal Brexit in case negotiations with the European Union fail
to produce a free trade agreement. "EU-UK trade talks are flirting with collapse," ANZ
economists said.
"UK Prime Minister Johnson said the UK needs to prepare for
a no-deal outcome, as both sides cannot agree on a Canada-style
FTA. Talks resume in London on Monday, but without the political
willingness to shift ground, there is little the negotiators can
achieve."
In commodities, Brent crude futures LCOc1 added 5 cents to
$42.98 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude
futures CLC1 climbed 5 cents to $40.9 a barrel.
Spot gold XAU= was a shade firmer at $1,899.9 an ounce.

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(Editing by Sam Holmes)