Asian markets extended losses but oil bounces after Omicron rout

Asian markets fell again Monday but oil rebounded strongly as investors try to assess the threat of the new Omicron Covid strain on the global economic recovery.

Equities around the world went into freefall Friday on news of the heavily mutated variant, which some fear could evade vaccines, as it forced several governments to throw up flight bans from southern Africa where it was discovered and introduced fresh containment measures.

The crisis added to an already jittery mood on trading floors caused by surging inflation and central banks starting to roll back their ultra-loose monetary policies to prevent prices from running out of control.

"Omicron's uncertainty has triggered a rethink on the global economic outlook," said National Australia Bank's Rodrigo Catril. "A new Covid wave may or may not be more infectious or deadly, but until we know more markets are likely to remain jittery."

Some traders were taking solace in comments from two South African health experts who said symptoms of Omicron appeared to be mild so far, though the World Health Organization has urged caution.

And analysts warned markets would remain on edge until more was known about the variant.

"So perhaps we have a highly contagious, yet mild strain," said Matt Simpson of StoneX Financial. "And if that is the case, markets could very well rally through December (as original fears recede) and markets refocus on Fed tightening and of course Santa's rally.

But Priya Misra, at TD Securities, added: "We really need some more answers to figure out the impact on growth.

"Risk assets are pricing in uncertainty."

All three main indexes on Wall Street ended more than two percent down, while London, Paris and Frankfurt were also pummelled at least 3.6 percent lower.

But even those losses were dwarfed by crude, which fell off a cliff on its worst day since WTI went below $0 at the outset of the pandemic, with dealers fretting over the possible impact on demand if more lockdowns are introduced.

And Asian equities, which also suffered hefty selling pressure, extended losses on Monday, though the selling was a lot lighter.

Tokyo and Hong Kong flirted with positive territory in the morning but remained in the red, while Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta also retreated.

But crude enjoyed a bounce, with WTI up more than five percent and Brent more than four percent higher -- having cratered 13.1 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively, on Friday.

The gains came as reports said OPEC and other major producers were considering whether or not to continue their plan of raising output each month, in light of the latest rout and with the prospect of new shutdowns if Omicron becomes a major problem.

In Hong Kong, casino operators plunged after police said the head of gambling enclave Macau's largest junket operator had confessed to running illegal betting activities.

The arrest of Alvin Chau at the weekend marks the first of such a high-profile figure from the city's gaming industry and comes as Beijing embarks on a crackdown, with plans announced in September to increase government regulation of the sector.

MGM China lost more than nine percent, while Galaxy Entertainment, Wynn Macau and Sands China all shed more than seven percent.

Key figures around 0300 GMT

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 28,746.49 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 23,877.83

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,558.33

West Texas Intermediate: UP 5.1 percent at $71.63

Brent North Sea crude: UP 4.6 percent at $76.03

Dollar/yen: UP at 113.68 yen from 113.38 yen at 2100 GMT on Friday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3334 from $1.3340

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1278 from $1.1311

Euro/pound: DOWN at 84.58 pence from 84.77 pence

New York - Dow: DOWN 2.5 percent at 34,899.34 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 3.6 percent at 7,044.03 (close)