Japan's Nikkei index was up 1.23% at 26,817.24 in morning trade, its highest mark since June 29th
Retail investors' Reddit-driven frenzy has kept GameStop's shares afloat despite the broader market's recent volatility and tech selloff.
Hopes that the epidemic would be over in a few months and economic activity would return to normal have been shattered, as new infections reported around the world now surpass those in China
Analysts are estimating an 8.2 per cent rise in second-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies
Drop in oil prices has spurred concerns about low inflation which remains below the Fed's 2% target
US stocks were mostly lower on Friday