REFILE-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks look up as global markets show confidence in economic growth

(Fixes typographical error in headline)
* S&P 500 futures up slightly
* U.S. dollar slide continues
* U.S. stocks gained 1% on Tuesday
* Federal Reserve policy announcement due
* Asia stock markets this year: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4

By David Henry
NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Asian stocks were poised for
gains on Wednesday as global markets moved with confidence that
vaccinations and additional monetary and fiscal support from
governments will drive economic growth.
Australian S&P/ASX 200 futures YAPcm1 rose 0.77% in early
trading.
Japan's Nikkei 225 futures NKc1 added 0.04%.
E-mini futures for the S&P 500 EScv1 rose 0.05%.
The day started with momentum from gains on Tuesday in U.S.
and European stocks, gold, oil and U.S. Treasury yields.
Optimism for a trade deal on Brexit contributed to a weaker
dollar against the British pound and the euro. "Tighter lockdowns will impact short-term economic activity
but Brexit talks and the US aid package discussions remain alive
providing a degree of longer-term optimism," strategists at ANZ
Research wrote.
Goldman Sachs strategists said, "This remains a friendly
backdrop for cyclical and risky assets."
Markets will now look to the U.S. Federal Reserve for new
projections on whether the economy will suffer a double-dip
recession or is on the cusp of a vaccine-inspired boom. The
central bank is to release a statement on Wednesday, with a
press conference set for the afternoon.
Some analysts expect Fed Chair Jerome Powell will underscore
the increasing short-term risks to the U.S. economy.
The Fed could also give guidance on when and how it might
change its bond purchases, impacting views on longer-term yields
and exchange rates.
On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose
1.13% to 30,199.31 points. The S&P 500 .SPX gained 1.29% and
the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC climbed 1.25% to 12,595.06,
exceeding its previous record close on Dec. 8. The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.25%.
Economically sensitive U.S. stock sectors, including
consumer discretionary .SPLRCD and materials, .SPLRCM led
gains as some investors viewed the recent spike in coronavirus
infections and deaths and the grim November jobs report as
drivers of a COVID-19 relief and stimulus bill.
Optimism over a $1.4 trillion U.S. spending package
increased after House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi
invited other top congressional leaders to meet late on Tuesday
to hammer out a deal to be enacted this week.
Progress on vaccine rollouts continued on Tuesday after
Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine appeared set for regulatory
authorization this week. The U.S. also expanded on
Tuesday its rollout of the newly approved vaccine developed by
Pfizer Inc. PFE.N and BioNTech SE BNTX.O . Expectations U.S. government spending drove spot gold XAU=
up as much as 1.4% on Tuesday afternoon to $1.852.36 per ounce
as U.S. Gold futures GCv1 settled up 1.3% at $1,855.30.
Gold, regarded as a hedge against inflation and currency
debasement, has risen over 22% so far this year amid
unprecedented government stimulus globally.
Despite a report from the International Energy Agency that
any impact of vaccines on oil demand is several months away,
Brent crude oil on Tuesday afternoon LCOc1 gained 30 cents to
$50.59 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1
rose 43 cents to $47.42. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Global assets http://tmsnrt.rs/2jvdmXl
Global currencies vs. dollar http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
Emerging markets http://tmsnrt.rs/2ihRugV
MSCI All Country Wolrd Index Market Cap http://tmsnrt.rs/2EmTD6j
Asia stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
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