ASX improves after soft start; Mesoblast soars; IAG to raise $750m

Summary

• The ASX 200 fell 0.2% at the open, but moved ahead after an hour of trade. US markets recovered late to finish higher overnight. 
• IAG has ramped up its COVID-19 loss provision and announced a $750m capital raise after a devastating loss in the NSW Supreme Court of Appeals on Wednesday evening
• APRA has halved the $1 billion capital requirement applied to CBA over its poor governance, accountability and risk frameworks in 2018
• Mesoblast shares jumped 20% after it found a biotech giant friend to help it develop its flagship product, remestemcel-L, for treatment of acute respiratory distress caused by coronavirus and other illnesses