Asian stocks follow Wall Street up as virus curbs tightened

Asian stock markets have followed Wall Street higher after U.S. hiring improved and China and Australia tightened anti-virus controls that threaten to weigh on an economic recovery

BEIJING -- Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher Monday after U.S. hiring improved and China and Australia tightened anti-virus controls that threaten to weigh on an economic recovery. Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced. South Korea declined. Japanese markets were closed for a holiday. On Friday, Wall Street ended at a new high after a government report showed U.S. in July was stronger than forecast. Investors have been encouraged by higher U.S. corporate profits and the global spread of coronavirus vaccinations. But the delta variant’s spread has prompted some governments to reimpose controls on business and travel.