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Coronavirus: UK and US stocks dive despite stimulus plans Coronavirus: UK and US stocks dive despite stimulus plans
(about 2 hours later)
Financial markets tumbled again on Wednesday as major stimulus plans failed to quell worries about the economic impact of the coronavirus.Financial markets tumbled again on Wednesday as major stimulus plans failed to quell worries about the economic impact of the coronavirus.
The Dow led the declines in the US, falling more than 4%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped more than 3%. The Dow and S&P 500 fell more than 7% in early afternoon, triggering an automatic temporary halt to trade.
The FTSE 100 index of top UK firms fell more than 3%, with aerospace, travel and housing firm among the hardest hit. The FTSE 100 index of top UK firms closed down 4%, with aerospace and travel firms among the hardest hit.
The pound meanwhile fell to its lowest level against the dollar in over three decades, trading at $1.18.The pound meanwhile fell to its lowest level against the dollar in over three decades, trading at $1.18.
The US on Tuesday outlined a $1tn (£830bn) package to support the world's biggest economy. The US on Tuesday outlined a $1tn (£830bn) proposal to support the world's biggest economy, which is expected to include direct payments to families, small business assistance and bailouts for airlines and other industries.
'Economic fight'
UK chancellor Rishi Sunak also revealed a £350bn stimulus package for UK firms, including £330bn of business loan guarantees.UK chancellor Rishi Sunak also revealed a £350bn stimulus package for UK firms, including £330bn of business loan guarantees.
It also included aid to cover a business rates holiday and grants for retailers and pubs. Help for airlines is also being considered.It also included aid to cover a business rates holiday and grants for retailers and pubs. Help for airlines is also being considered.
Mr Sunak told a news conference: "Never in peacetime have we faced an economic fight like this one."Mr Sunak told a news conference: "Never in peacetime have we faced an economic fight like this one."
The stimulus measures taken globally also failed to buoy Asian stocks. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday 1.7% lower, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell by 3.3%, and China's Shanghai Composite lost 1.8%. But investors say rescue measures can only blunt the pain, as countries close borders and order mass closures, bringing most economic activity to a halt.
On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he supports sending money directly to Americans as part of a $1tn stimulus plan aimed at averting an economic crisis caused by the virus. In the US, large companies have already announced more than 3,600 job cuts or furloughs, according to research firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The firm said some nine million other jobs at local bars and restaurants could also be at risk.
The overall aid package would be larger than the US response to the 2008 financial crisis, amounting to nearly a quarter of what the US federal government spent last year. Car factories in the UK and elsewhere have halted production, while the slowdown has pushed other firms such as Laura Ashley and Flybe into administration.
In Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reportedly forming a panel of key economic ministers and Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda to discuss measures to prop up the economy. Concerns about the damage have spurred a widespread sell-off. France's CAC 40 fell more than 6% while Germany's Dax dropped more than 5%.
The move, which would bring Japan in line with other nations, is designed to avert an economic crisis in the country, which some fear could tip into recession. Oil prices also plunged to levels not seen since the early 2000s, as demand contracts sharply, but exporters boost supply. The declines have even hit gold and government debt, which are typically considered less risky assets.
Asian markets have fared better than the US and Europe in recent days, but were also lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 ended Wednesday 1.7% lower, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell by 3.3%, and China's Shanghai Composite lost 1.8%.
The corporate bond market is, according to traders who spoke to the BBC, in the midst of a full-blown rout - vindicating predictions by market experts such as Zero Hedge, Jesse Colombo, Peter Shiff or Albert Edwards that it was a bubble waiting to burst.The corporate bond market is, according to traders who spoke to the BBC, in the midst of a full-blown rout - vindicating predictions by market experts such as Zero Hedge, Jesse Colombo, Peter Shiff or Albert Edwards that it was a bubble waiting to burst.
Bonds are a form of debt issued by large companies and governments - much like an "IOU" note - to investors willing to hand over money in exchange for a fixed rate of interest.Bonds are a form of debt issued by large companies and governments - much like an "IOU" note - to investors willing to hand over money in exchange for a fixed rate of interest.
Traders tend sell them if they think the risks of not getting their money back have risen. If there are more sellers than buyers, the price of the bond falls and the fixed income from it - the yield - will increase.Traders tend sell them if they think the risks of not getting their money back have risen. If there are more sellers than buyers, the price of the bond falls and the fixed income from it - the yield - will increase.
Right now, corporate bonds normally regarded as safe have seen yields jump to their highest since the financial crisis 12 years ago - a measure of just how worried investors are. In this crisis, traders would rather have cash.Right now, corporate bonds normally regarded as safe have seen yields jump to their highest since the financial crisis 12 years ago - a measure of just how worried investors are. In this crisis, traders would rather have cash.