U.S. stocks struck fresh record highs Wednesday as trading got underway amid stimulus hopes, while oil prices hit 13-month highs. Dealers remain upbeat about the chances of U.S. President Joe Biden pushing through his $1.9 trillion economic rescue package despite warnings that the move -- along wit»»»

Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Thursday though Tokyo´s benchmark declined as reports of rising coronavirus cases raised alarm over another setback in the recovery from the pandemic. Tokyo reported 545 new cases and Osaka’s government declared a medical emergency as the latest surge in infecti»»»