By Kevin Plumberg

Regional equities have risen for six consecutive days, bolstered by expectations big government stimulus spending packages in coming weeks will revive growth and banks will eventually lend to each other again.

Major European stocks were expected to open as much as 0.4 percent higher, according to financial bookmakers, on hopes companies will benefit from the collective efforts of central banks and other policymakers.

Many market players are looking for a large U.S. spending package and tax cuts to help support the world's largest economy. U.S. President-elect Barack Obama will meet later on Monday with senior Congressional leaders to discuss the plan.

However, economic reports from just about every corner of the world reflect sharply deteriorating conditions, particularly in the United States. Friday's U.S. payrolls report for December is expected to show the labor market lost 500,000 jobs, bringing total job losses in 2008 to 2.411 million -- the most since 1945.

"Risk aversion has eased in the last week and this has sent both the Dow and the Nikkei higher," said Nagayuki Yamagishi, a strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Securities in Tokyo.

"There's quite a lot of expectations for the government of Obama and the policies he's likely to enact, but when he actually takes office this mood may evaporate and a lot of problems still linger."

Analysts believe the record drops that many stock markets suffered in 2008 have already gone a long way in anticipating the global economy's slide into recession and the hit to corporate earnings that will be reported in coming months.

The MSCI index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> climbed 1.6 percent to a two-month peak, taking gains on the first two trading days of 2009 to nearly 3 percent after a record 53 percent plunge last year.

Japan's Nikkei average <.N225> gained 2.1 percent to reach a two-month high, led by Honda Motor Co <7267.T> stock and other exporters thanks to a weaker yen.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index <.HSI> rose 1.25 percent, boosted by a 2.2 percent increase in China Mobile stock <0941.HK>.

GEOPOLITICAL RISK SUPPORTS OIL

Oil prices climbed $1.36 a barrel to $47.72 as OPEC production cuts took effect and an Iranian military commander reportedly called for an oil boycott over Israel's ground offensive in the Gaza Strip to counter militant rocket attacks.

Russia's move to cut natural gas supplies to the Ukraine also showed signs of affecting Central European countries.

The U.S. dollar was steady, holding near a three-week high against the yen, receiving some support on hopes for a big spending package from the Obama administration.

The dollar edged up to 91.96 yen, up from around 91.75 yen late on Friday in New York.

The euro dropped 0.2 percent to $1.3895 as payback for its 10 percent pop last month. Traders said the single currency's surge in December was due to factors such as investors repatriating funds before year-end and was likely overdone.

The Australian dollar climbed to its highest in almost three months at about $0.7160 before backing down a bit to $0.7141.

Asian currencies continued to be at risk of weakness as a result of their economies' exposure to slow global demand. Investors will likely be drawn to currencies where policymakers have been taking aggressive steps to protect industry.

"The dramatic weakness in external demand recorded throughout Asia during the last months of 2008 will intensify, putting pressure on currencies," said Patrick Bennett, Asia foreign exchange and rates strategist with Societe Generale in a note to clients.

Both low-risk Japanese government bonds and U.S. Treasuries took a hit on the rebound in stocks.

The benchmark 10-year JGB yield rose 3 basis points to 1.195 percent, up from a five-year low hit last week. Ten-year Treasury notes dropped 16/32 in price to yield 2.417 percent, up nearly 40 basis points after touching their lowest levels since the 1950s in December.

With government bond yields so low and equity markets uncertain, many large investors have focused on the value of investment grade corporate bonds, especially from Asian issuers.

Default rates in Asia remain low and cash balances relatively high, though bond prices imply a surge of failures over the next few years.

"Asia is in a much healthier financial position now than it was during the 1997-98 crisis and at current levels, all sectors of Asian local bonds look attractive," said Rajeev De Mello, head of Asian investment at Western Asset Management, which has $585.5 billion in assets under management.

"In terms of risk-aversion, I believe that we have already seen the worst of that," De Mello said in a note.

(Additional reporting by Elaine Lies in TOKYO)