GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks fall as virus worries return to haunt markets

* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* Risk aversion resurfaces as virus concerns return
* Rising infections in India rattle energy markets
* Bond traders eagerly await 20-year Treasury auction

By Stanley White
TOKYO, April 21 (Reuters) - Asian shares and U.S. stock
futures fell on Wednesday as concern about a resurgence of
coronavirus cases in some countries cast doubt on the strength
of global growth and demand for crude oil.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS fell 0.6%. Australian stocks .AXJO dropped
1.25% and shares in China .CSI300 were down 0.46%.
Stocks in Tokyo .N225 slumped by 1.79% due the growing
likelihood that Tokyo, Osaka and surrounding areas will be put
on lockdown due to a new wave of coronavirus infections.
S&P 500 e-mini stock futures EScv1 also fell 0.18%.
Crude futures extended declines from a one-month high in
Asian trading on speculation that coronavirus restrictions in
India, the world's third-largest oil importer, will hurt energy
demand. Recent optimism about rising vaccination rates in the United
States, Britain, and Europe is shifting to concern that record
coronavirus infections in India and the reinforcement of travel
restrictions will act as a brake on the global economy.
"Renewed concerns about the global economic recovery weighed
on commodity prices and commodity currencies. Many countries
around the world, such as India and Brazil, set new records for
infections and deaths," analysts at Commonwealth Bank of
Australia said in a research note.
"As long as the virus persists, there is a risk virus
mutants develop and spread to other countries."
Declines in Asian shares followed a downbeat day on Wall
Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI fell 0.75%, the
S&P 500 .SPX lost 0.68%, and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC fell
0.92% on Tuesday as investors sold airlines and travel-related
shares due to fear of a delayed recovery in global tourism.
Some tech shares and companies that benefited from
stay-at-home demand could face further pressure after Netflix
Inc NFLX.O reported disappointing subscriber growth for its
movie streaming service, which sent its shares down 11% in
after-hours trading.
U.S. crude CLc1 dipped 0.4% to $62.42 a barrel, while
Brent crude LCOc1 fell 0.26% to $66.40 per barrel.
India, the world's second most populous country and a major
energy consumer, reported its worst daily death toll on Tuesday,
with large parts of the country now under lockdown.
The Canadian dollar CAD=D3 , the Mexican peso MXN= , and
the Norwegian crown NOK=D3 steadied during Asian trading after
falling on Tuesday, but analysts say more declines the
currencies of major oil exporters are likely if energy prices
continue to fall.
The dollar index =USD against a basket of six major
currencies traded near a seven-week low, hurt by a dip in U.S.
Treasury yields as some investors sought the safety of holding
government debt.
Investors are closely watching an auction of 20-year
Treasuries later on Wednesday, which will be an important gauge
of global demand for fixed income.
Ahead of the auction results, the yield on benchmark 10-year
Treasury notes US10YT=RR traded at 1.5660%, near a six-week
low. Yields on 20-year Treasuries US20YT=RR stood at 2.1531%,
close to a seven-week low.
In a sign of growing risk aversion, spot gold XAU= traded
at $1,778.18 per ounce, close to a seven-week high reached on
Monday. GOL/

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