Global Shares Rise As Investors Shrug Off Omicron Worries

• Global equity markets climbed on Tuesday, boosted by another record-setting open on Wall Street as investors shrugged off concerns over Omicron-driven travel disruptions and store closures. 
• Asset classes from oil to equities are near or above recent highs, having clawed back losses from late November when the Omicron variant of COVID-19 sent investors scurrying for safety. A delay in Britain and France on imposing more COVID curbs before year-end also excited investors. As the worst fears over the impact of the variant have subsided, investors have returned to risky assets. 
• "The latest rebound in risky assets was activated last week by new reports confirming that the Omicron coronavirus variant, although more transmissible leads to fewer hospitalizations and deaths," said Charalambos Pissouros, head of research at Cyprus-based brokerage JFD Group. 
• The MSCI world equities index was up 0.2%, within striking distance of a record high hit last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 156.94 points, or 0.43%, to 36,459.32, and the S&P 500 gained 2.29 points or 0.05%

(Source: Investing.com)