Markets Overview
- ASX SPI 200 futures up 0.2% to 7,366.00
- Dow Average up 0.6% to 35,970.99
- Aussie up 0.2% to 0.7162 per US$
- U.S. 10-year yield fell 1.5bps to 1.4837%
- Australia 3-year bond yield fell 3bps to 0.92%
- Australia 10-year bond yield fell 4bps to 1.64%
- Gold spot up 0.4% to $1,782.84
- Brent futures up 1.0% to $75.15/bbl
Economic Events
Australia added the Moderna Inc. Covid-19 vaccine to Pfizer Inc.’s as a recommended booster shot and reduced the waiting time, responding to concerns about the increased spread caused by the omicron variant.
Australia is cutting the standard waiting time for a booster shot to five months from six, following the first two doses. The approval came from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, the health department said Sunday in a statement. ATAGI acted given the likelihood of ongoing transmission of both omicron and delta variants, the department said.
“What this will do, is it will mean an extra 1.5 million people are now eligible to immediately access the boosters,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said in Melbourne, after receiving a Moderna booster shot. “By the start of January, 4.1 million Australians will be eligible to have the booster.
Other News
Saudi authorities have conducted their biggest-ever crackdown on camel beauty contestants that received Botox injections and other artificial touch-ups, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday, with over 40 camels disqualified from the annual pageant.
Saudi Arabia’s popular King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which kicked off earlier this month, invites the breeders of the most beautiful camels to compete for some $66 million in prize money. Botox injections, face lifts and other cosmetic alterations to make the camels more attractive are strictly prohibited. Jurors decide the winner based on the shape of the camels’ heads, necks, humps, dress and postures.
