Global markets extend slump as coronavirus crisis deepens

Oil, already slumping on virus-linked demand fears, extends losses to more than 5%

AFP

March 06, 2020

Investors around the world are panicking over the spread of the coronavirus and the damage to the global economy. — AFP

Stock markets and oil prices collapsed on Friday as investors panicked over the devastating damage of the coronvavirus to global economic growth, dealers said.

Haven investments gold and the yen surged as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the epidemic must be taken seriously.

In afternoon trading, the Paris stock market fell by 4.3%, Frankfurt dived 4.0%, London shed 3.8% and Milan tumbled 3.8% in a fierce global markets selloff that began about two weeks ago.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Wall Street fell 2.9%as no end appeared to be in sight to the spreading COVID-19 disease.

Oil, already slumping on virus-linked demand fears, extended losses to more than 5% on reports Russia wants to delay deeper output cuts recommended by its OPEC allies.

Growing virus crisis

"Stocks are on the back foot once again, with markets tumbling amid continued growth in the coronavirus crisis," said analyst Joshua Mahony at IG trading group.

"The stimulus-led rebound in global stocks has been short-lived, with fears over an escalation of the coronavirus crisis providing yet another bout of selling across European markets."

While governments and central banks have unleashed or prepared to roll out stimulus measures, the rapid spread of the disease and rising death toll are putting a strain on economies and stoking concerns of a worldwide recession.

The US Federal Reserve sprang a surprise half-point interest rate cut on Tuesday in an attempt to stem devastating fallout.

But as coronavirus continues its rapid spread — almost 100,000 people in 85 countries have now been infected — investors are fleeing risk assets such as stocks for financial havens.

"With the economic impact of coronavirus large and rising, policymakers in advanced economies are being forced to react," said economist Adam Slater at research group Oxford Economics.

"But conventional monetary and fiscal options like the US Federal Reserve's recent emergency rate cut, may not be enough."

'This is not a drill'

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, meanwhile, warned that "this is not a drill" as outbreaks surged in Europe and the United States, where medical workers warned of a "disturbing" lack of hospital preparedness.

With dealers flocking to safety and yields on US Treasuries at record lows, gold has rocketed more than five percent this week to sit at more than seven-year highs.

In oil markets, Brent North Sea crude dived to $47.02 per barrel, the lowest levels since July 2017. WTI tumbled to $43.28 — the lowest since late 2018.

"Over the past month, forecasters have slashed their oil price estimates quicker than you can say 'pass the hand sanitiser'," said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock.

"In short, COVID-19 is in the midst of an international offensive and the worst effects are yet to be felt. Global oil demand destruction is therefore poised to intensify."

News that OPEC ministers had recommended a huge production cut of 1.5 million barrels a day to offset the impact of the virus was unable to provide traders with any lift.

There are concerns over whether key producers outside the group -- Russia in particular — will follow the advice.

World oil prices have wiped out more than a fifth of their value so far in 2020.