⁍ Asian markets started higher on Monday, buoyed by hopes of a U.S. fiscal package before the U.S. presidential elections next month.

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⁍ Pfizer Inc said on Friday it could have a coronavirus vaccine ready in the United States by the end of this year.

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⁍ Investors are also concerned about rising coronavirus cases to help curb the spread of the disease.

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– Asian markets started higher on Monday, buoyed by hopes of a US fiscal package before the US presidential elections next month and expectations of a coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year, though the mood was still cautious as infections jump. The index has risen in eight of the last 10 sessions amid a rally in risk assets buoyed by hopes of a coronavirus vaccine and expectations of a so called ‘blue wave’, which would see the Democrats claim victory in November’s elections, per Reuters. Nancy Pelosi said Sunday she was optimistic legislation on a wide-ranging coronavirus relief package could be pushed through before the election. But with her negotiating partner, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in the Middle East until Tuesday, such a timeframe would seem to be overly optimistic, analysts said. Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time late on Friday, a record one-day increase as much of Europe enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak. Investors now await China’s third-quarter gross domestic product, monthly production and retail sales due later in the Asia morning. “Chinese growth has bounced back well from its early COVID-19 losses and this data will be key to identify how the economy has progressed,” said Steven Dooley, chief strategist at Western Union Business Solutions. Later in the week, key events include minutes of Australia’s central bank meeting, the final US presidential debate, and global manufacturing indicators.