(AP) — Asian stock markets have risen for a second day on hopes for progress toward a possible coronavirus vaccine that might allow the world to revive manufacturing, shopping and normal life. Benchmarks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney rose by more than 1% while Shanghai and Seoul also gained. On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 index closed 1.2% higher after Pfizer said data on a vaccine under development suggest it might be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, though that doesn’t mean its release is imminent. China’s inflation fell to a decade low, giving Beijing room to spend more heavily if necessary to support its economic recovery.
