Overview: The optimism among investors appears to have evaporated in the face of new US-Chinese tensions, possible delays in the next US fiscal stimulus, and new record virus infections in Australia and Hong Kong. US stocks had pared early gains yesterday, and the high-flying NASDAQ finished lower after setting new record highs. Hong Kong (-2.25%) and Australia (-1.3%) led the regional declines, though China eked out some modest gains, helped by the energy sector. The MSCI Asia Pacific and Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 are snapping three-day advances today, and US shares are pointing to