Global stocks tank on fears of second coronavirus wave

September 21, 2020: World equity markets suffered heavy losses Monday as investors reacted to mounting fears of a second wave of the coronavirus and few signs of additional central bank stimulus, dealers said.

Crude oil prices plunged owing to expectations for less demand just as more supply from Libya becomes available, traders said.

The banking sector was rocked meanwhile by an international media probe that claimed massive sums of allegedly dirty money had flowed for years through some of the world's largest banks.

London stocks fell by 3.4 percent after Health Minister Matt Hancock warned Britain's coronavirus crisis was at a "tipping point", fuelling expectations of more restrictions aimed at curbing Covid-19 as government experts said cases could mushroom.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index joined the selloff, sliding by 2.9 percent in midday trading.

The European single currency fell below $1.18 as dealers headed for the US dollar's safe haven.

- 'Virus fears' -

"Virus fears have come back to haunt investors today, as concern rises that the consumer-led recovery is going to falter if lockdowns are re-introduced," noted Fawad Razaqzada, an analyst at ThinkMarkets.

"Stocks have tanked, the dollar has jumped, and the pound has been pounded," he added.

Russ Mould, at the online broker AJ Bell, added that "travel stocks again faced severe turbulence amid the rising fears over new (government) restrictions."

Most Asian bourses had already fallen sharply earlier in the day.

- Banking turmoil -

Shares in major banks dived after BuzzFeed News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published findings over dirty money allegedly flowing through the banking system.

"Profits from deadly drug wars, fortunes embezzled from developing countries, and hard-earned savings stolen in a Ponzi scheme were all allowed to flow into and out of these financial institutions, despite warnings from the banks' own employees," according to the probe.

Banks replied that they have been working for several years with national regulators to address many of the issues raised in the report.

- Key figures around 1600 GMT -

• New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 2.9 percent at 26,845.79 points
• London - FTSE 100: DOWN 3.4 percent at 5,804.29 (close)
• Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 4.4 percent at 12,542.44 (close)
• Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 3.7 percent at 4,949.76 (close)
• EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 3.7 percent at 3,160.95
• Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 2.1 percent at 23,950.69 (close)
• Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.6 percent at 3,316.94 (close)
• Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday
• Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1740 from $1.1840 at 2100 GMT
• Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2799 from $1.2917
• Euro/pound: UP at 91.73 pence from 91.66 pence
• Dollar/yen: UP at 104.68 yen from 104.57 yen
• West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 5.5 percent at $38.87 per barrel
• Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 4.5 percent at $41.21

AFP/APP