SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares rallied on Monday as some semblance of calm returned to bond markets after last week’s wild ride, while progress in the huge U.S. stimulus package underpinned optimism about the global economy and sent oil prices higher.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Australian dollar and other riskier currencies recovered some lost ground against the U.S. dollar on Monday, after suffering their biggest plunges in a year at the end of last week amid a hefty sell-off in global bond markets.

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea’s exports expanded for a fourth straight month in February on continued growth in memory chip and car sales, underpinning the trade-led recovery in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s factory activity expanded at the fastest pace in over two years in February, a private-sector survey showed on Monday, as strong orders led to the first output rise since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rose more than $1 on Monday on optimism in the global economy thanks to progress in a huge U.S. stimulus package and on hopes for improving oil demand as vaccines are rolled out.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s factory activity expanded at the slowest pace in nine months in February as weak overseas demand and coronavirus flare-ups weighed on output, adding pressure on the country’s labour market, a business survey showed on Monday.