BREAKING - Asian Stocks Hit Record Peak as Vaccine Hopes Dampen Virus Fears

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian stocks hit a record high on Monday as vaccine optimism and strong economic data from China and Japan outshone worries about rising coronavirus cases, lifting just about every sector.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (MIAPJ0000PUS) gained 1% to hit its highest since its launch in 1987 with markets across the region making milestone peaks.

Japan's Nikkei (N225) traded at 29-year highs, South Korea's Kospi (KS11) at its highest since early 2018 and Australia's ASX 200 (AXJO) hit an eight-month peak in the morning, before a glitch halted trade.

S&P 500 futures (ESc1) rose 0.6% following the index's record close on Friday, Nasdaq 100 futures (NQc1) leapt 1% and European futures were up strongly with EuroSTOXX 50 futures (STXEc1) up 0.8% and FTSE futures (FFIC1) up half a percent.

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