Most markets fell in Asia on Wednesday, hit by profit-taking after a strong rally across the world in recent weeks, with investors worried valuations may have gone too far for now.

However, analysts said that while equities have room for a drop, the general view is that they will resume their strong upward march as vaccine rollouts, slowing infection rates and the easing of lockdowns allow economies to return to normal.

Focus is also on Washington as US lawmakers try to push through Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus package, the prospect of which has been a key driver of a months-long surge across global equities.

Bets that the vast spending spurge will give an extra boost to the world's top economy -- and the prospect of business reopenings -- have also fired inflation expectations, sending US Treasury yields close to one-year highs.

That has led to concerns about rising borrowing costs, a negative for equity traders.

"The move up in yields has been driven by increasing inflationary concerns amid a rise in energy prices along with the prospect of a big US fiscal stimulus and the global recovery entering a more solid stage as vaccine rollouts lead to the reopening of economies," said National Australia Bank's Rodrigo Catril.

Stephen Innes at Axi said in a note: "It's difficult to tell if we have reached any significant inflection points, but it's certainly starting to feel that the rip higher in US bond yields at least on the margins could be the match in the stimulus powder barrel.

"That being said it remains to be seen if any real drags will hinder the raging bull driving equity market sentiment these days."

- Prices 'fairly frothy' -

He added that traders remained confident the rescue package and Federal Reserve largesse -- as well as reassurances it will keep monetary policy loose -- will continue to lend massive support to markets.

After a mixed lead from Wall Street, Asian markets stuttered, having enjoyed a clear run higher so far this year.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Seoul and Manila all fell, while Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta rose. Hong Kong was flat and Shanghai was closed for a holiday.

"The market is fairly frothy here from a sentiment perspective," Liz Ann Sonders, at Charles Schwab & Co, told Bloomberg TV. "You have to put a move higher in yields that goes out of the comfort zone as a potential risk associated with that."

Still, the surge in yields indicates the outlook remains very upbeat.

"There's a great deal of optimism in the air and that's one of the biggest reasons we've seen this rise in interest rates in the US and globally," Tom di Galoma, at Seaport Global Holdings, said.

Oil prices dipped, having rallied more than 20 percent this year to 13-month highs, with added support coming from a big freeze in Texas that has hammered output in the key production state.

Bitcoin edged up slightly, having pulled back after topping $50,000 for the first time ever on Wednesday.

- Key figures around 0300 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.9 percent at 30,202.71 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: FLAT at 30,755.12

Shanghai - Composite: Closed for a holiday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3889 from $1.3902 at 2150 GMT

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.2095 from $1.2105

Euro/pound: UP at 87.08 pence from 87.07 pence

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 105.94 yen from 105.99 yen

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $63.18 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $59.87 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 31,522.75 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 at 6,748.86 (close)

dan/fox

CHARLES SCHWAB

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK

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Markets, oil drop in Asia but bitcoin targets $50,000
Hong Kong (AFP) Feb 12, 2021
Markets fell in Asia on Friday in holiday-thinned trade with investors awaiting developments in US stimulus talks, while bitcoin hit a new record as it crept towards $50,000. Oil prices also retreated from their 13-month highs after investors were given a reality check on expectations for demand this year, despite expectations the global economy will see a strong recovery. Equities across the planet have rallied this year on the back of vaccine rollouts, falling infection and death rates, and op ... read more