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London stocks drop again on coronavirus worries Financial markets drop again on coronavirus fears
(about 5 hours later)
Shares traded on the London Stock Exchange fell again on Tuesday as investors continued to worry about the spread of the coronavirus. Financial markets plunged again on Tuesday as investors continued to worry about the spread of the coronavirus.
The sell-off sent the FTSE 100 down almost 2% to a 12-month low of 7,018 by the close of the day. The Dow shed almost 900 points, falling more than 3% to close at 27,081. The S&P 500 also closed more than 3% lower, while the Nasdaq sank 2.8%,
It followed a dismal day for Japan's Nikkei 225 index, which fell 3.3% before closing earlier. The declines followed drops overseas. In the UK, the FTSE 100 fell almost 2% to a 12-month low of 7,018, while Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 3.3%.
In the US, all three of the major indexes were trading more than 1% lower in early business. The slump followed a global stock market plunge on Monday.
The slump followed a global stock market plunge on Monday, which saw significant drops in the US and Europe. On Tuesday, airlines and travel companies, as well as firms that rely on China as part of their supply chain, were again among the most affected. Oil prices also dropped.
But shares across Asia's other major stock markets traded cautiously on Tuesday. 'This might be bad'
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index edged up slightly, while South Korea's Kospi rose 1.2%. Losses on US markets accelerated after US health officials warned that the public should expect cases to spread.
Shares in Toyota Motor Corp fell 3.7%, while Uniqlo's parent company Fast Retailing dropped 4.2%. "We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad," said Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Both firms are highly dependent on a global supply chain that faces disruption following the shutdown of Chinese factories. The number of cases of coronavirus outside China is growing.
In the UK, travel companies were once again among the biggest losers with 6% being wiped from the value of cruise company Carnival and Tui shares shedding almost 5%. At least 280 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Italy, where seven have died. A handful of cases have also been identified in Switzerland, Austria, France and Germany.
It followed an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus outside China. In the US, which has confirmed 57 cases, the White House sought to calm fears that the spread would derail the economy.
At least 280 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Italy, where seven have died. A handful of cases have also been identified in Switzerland, Austria, France and Germany "This is very tightly contained in the US," White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told broadcaster CNBC. "I think this thing will run its course and the US is in excellent shape."
Many analysts expect the spread of the coronavirus to peak in the first quarter of this year, with economic activity rebounding in the second quarter. However, investors continued to sell stocks. Shares in American Airlines fell 9%, while Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Marriott dropped almost 8%.
In the UK, cruise company Carnival lost about 6% of its value, while Tui shares shed almost 5%.
Japan's Toyota Motor Corp fell 3.7%, while Uniqlo's parent company Fast Retailing dropped 4.2%.
"This is not a buy-the-dip market. It is a don't-catch-a-falling-knife market," wrote Scott Minerd of Guggenheim Securities on Twitter.
Some analysts said they expect the spread of the coronavirus to peak in the first quarter of this year, with economic activity rebounding in the second quarter.
"Those who expect the virus to kick off a global recession might be disappointed, as the impact is likely to be temporary," said Margaret Yang, an analyst with CMC Markets. "Central banks around the globe are ready to inject liquidity and cut down interest rates to cushion the headwind.""Those who expect the virus to kick off a global recession might be disappointed, as the impact is likely to be temporary," said Margaret Yang, an analyst with CMC Markets. "Central banks around the globe are ready to inject liquidity and cut down interest rates to cushion the headwind."
She added that the coronavirus is proving to be less deadly than Sars, just more contagious.
In China, the Shanghai Composite index closed down 0.6% amid mixed reports about efforts to contain the virus.