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Stock Markets Fall on Renewed Pessimism: Live Updates Stocks Slump as Oil Prices Nosedive: Live Markets Updates
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Shake Shack, the fast-food chain, said on Sunday it was returning a $10 million loan from a federal program to help small businesses, following criticism that the stimulus program had favored large chains.Shake Shack, the fast-food chain, said on Sunday it was returning a $10 million loan from a federal program to help small businesses, following criticism that the stimulus program had favored large chains.
The $349 billion stimulus effort, which was distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, was exhausted in just two weeks, with many loans favoring larger companies that were better able to navigate the application process.The $349 billion stimulus effort, which was distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, was exhausted in just two weeks, with many loans favoring larger companies that were better able to navigate the application process.
The Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration will be forgiven for companies that do not lay off staff or that rehire them by June 30.The Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration will be forgiven for companies that do not lay off staff or that rehire them by June 30.
Shake Shack, with 189 outlets and nearly 8,000 employees in the United States, said it had secured the additional capital it needed through an equity transaction on Friday.Shake Shack, with 189 outlets and nearly 8,000 employees in the United States, said it had secured the additional capital it needed through an equity transaction on Friday.
“We’re thankful for that, and we’ve decided to immediately return the entire $10 million P.P.P. loan we received last week to the S.B.A. so that those restaurants who need it most can get it,” the company said in a statement from Danny Meyer, the chairman of Shake Shack, and Randy Garutti, its chief executive.“We’re thankful for that, and we’ve decided to immediately return the entire $10 million P.P.P. loan we received last week to the S.B.A. so that those restaurants who need it most can get it,” the company said in a statement from Danny Meyer, the chairman of Shake Shack, and Randy Garutti, its chief executive.
The company said the loan program should be fully funded in order to not pit restaurants against one another. It called for scrapping the June forgiveness date in favor of staggered deadlines to reflect how the epidemic has hit different parts of the country at different times.The company said the loan program should be fully funded in order to not pit restaurants against one another. It called for scrapping the June forgiveness date in favor of staggered deadlines to reflect how the epidemic has hit different parts of the country at different times.
The price of the main U.S. benchmark crude oil plummeted by about $5 on Monday, or about 37 percent, to $11.42 a barrel, a level it hasn’t seen in about two decades.The price of the main U.S. benchmark crude oil plummeted by about $5 on Monday, or about 37 percent, to $11.42 a barrel, a level it hasn’t seen in about two decades.
Analysts said West Texas Intermediate crude was being hit by unusual volatility because the current futures trading contract, which is used to set the trading price for oil, will expire on Tuesday and so investors have little interest in buying it.Analysts said West Texas Intermediate crude was being hit by unusual volatility because the current futures trading contract, which is used to set the trading price for oil, will expire on Tuesday and so investors have little interest in buying it.
“In a market as weak as this you would expect interest to shift,” said David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, a commodities pricing agency. “It’s a little bit of a glitch, I suspect.”“In a market as weak as this you would expect interest to shift,” said David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, a commodities pricing agency. “It’s a little bit of a glitch, I suspect.”
The next futures contract for West Texas Intermediate — the June contract — was trading considerably higher, at about $23 a barrel.The next futures contract for West Texas Intermediate — the June contract — was trading considerably higher, at about $23 a barrel.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, whose contract has already expired, was under less pressure, falling by about 5.8 percent to about a little over $26 a barrel.Brent crude, the international benchmark, whose contract has already expired, was under less pressure, falling by about 5.8 percent to about a little over $26 a barrel.
Oil traders are in the midst of a market “contango,” in which later futures contracts have higher prices than those that expire earlier. The May 2021 contract — reflecting the market’s sense of the value of oil a year from now — is trading at about $35 a barrel.Oil traders are in the midst of a market “contango,” in which later futures contracts have higher prices than those that expire earlier. The May 2021 contract — reflecting the market’s sense of the value of oil a year from now — is trading at about $35 a barrel.
Still, there are few buyers for oil right now. Global oil consumption is expected to be about a third lower in April because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the incentive is to store it for what may be a better day. But storage facilities are very quickly being filled.Still, there are few buyers for oil right now. Global oil consumption is expected to be about a third lower in April because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the incentive is to store it for what may be a better day. But storage facilities are very quickly being filled.
United Airlines lost more than $2 billion in the first quarter, a decline driven by the virtual stalling of the global airline industry in March, the company said in a securities filing on Monday.United Airlines lost more than $2 billion in the first quarter, a decline driven by the virtual stalling of the global airline industry in March, the company said in a securities filing on Monday.
The carrier said that it expected to receive access to a $4.5 billion loan from the Treasury Department under the economic relief law passed several weeks ago. United had already received about $5 billion from the federal government, mostly in grants intended to pay employees through September.The carrier said that it expected to receive access to a $4.5 billion loan from the Treasury Department under the economic relief law passed several weeks ago. United had already received about $5 billion from the federal government, mostly in grants intended to pay employees through September.
If United decides to draw down the loan, in exchange it will have to provide the Treasury with warrants giving it the right to buy stock in the company, as it already did for a portion of the funds to pay workers. If United decides to draw down the loan, in exchange it will have to provide the Treasury with warrants giving it the right to buy stock in the company, as it already did for a portion of the funds to pay workers. The new warrants would allow the government buy a $450 million chunk of United, or 14.2 million shares at a price of $31.50 each.
In the first quarter, United earned $8 billion in revenue, a 17 percent decline from last year. The carrier also said it had $6.3 billion in cash on hand, including about $2 billion in undrawn credit.In the first quarter, United earned $8 billion in revenue, a 17 percent decline from last year. The carrier also said it had $6.3 billion in cash on hand, including about $2 billion in undrawn credit.
U.S. stock futures fell and global markets retreated on Monday, as news of the coronavirus outbreak’s relentless spread overcame signs of progress in some of the hardest-hit countries. The airline has cut its schedule by 80 percent in April and expects to cut it by 90 percent in May and June.
Futures for the S&P 500 dropped by more than 2 percent, signaling a slump on Wall Street when trading opens. Stocks on Wall Street tumbled, with shares of energy producers following the price of crude oil lower on Monday.
European markets were mixed after a largely muted trading day in Asia. The S&P 500 fell more than 1 percent in early trading, and shares in Europe were also mostly lower.
The United States appeared to be making progress in its response to the pandemic. Lawmakers said they were nearing a deal for a new support package for small businesses, and President Trump said the authorities would step up testing. But protests in some states against the lockdowns underscored the economic damage that many households are suffering, in the United States and around the world. Oil producers, including Noble Energy and Diamondback Energy, were among the worst performing shares in the S&P 500. Shares of United Airlines and American Airlines were also sharply lower after the former said that it lost almost $2 billion in the first three months of the year.
Underscoring the unease, prices for U.S. Treasury bonds rose, suggesting investors were putting their money in safer havens. Oil prices whipsawed, as futures contracts expired at a time of weakening demand for oil. As investors try to gauge the extent of the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they’ll face a flood of updates this week from big companies, with about one-fifth of the S&P 500 expected to report first-quarter profits.
Monday’s losses may have been tempered somewhat by progress on the response to the pandemic. Lawmakers in Washington said they were nearing a deal for a new support package for small businesses, and President Trump said the authorities would step up testing. But protests in some states against the lockdowns underscored the economic damage that many households are suffering, in the United States and around the world.
Global stock markets have been rebounding since late March, as investors have routinely looked past evidence of the damage caused by stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns, and instead focused on hopes for an eventual recovery.Global stock markets have been rebounding since late March, as investors have routinely looked past evidence of the damage caused by stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns, and instead focused on hopes for an eventual recovery.
The S&P 500 ended the week higher on Friday, and the index is now up more than 28 percent from its lowest point this year, which was reached on March 23. It is still nearly 18 percent below its high in late February. Congress and the Trump administration are moving toward a deal to replenish funds for a program aimed at helping small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic. The $450 billion spending deal being discussed would also provide additional funds for hospitals and testing.
The small business loan program, called the Paycheck Protection Program, ran out of funds last week.
But lawmakers and the administration have struggled to break an impasse over the funds, after Democrats insisted on coupling the infusion to the program with other provisions to counter the impact of the pandemic.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin gave broad outlines of a final package in an interview on CNN on Sunday: $300 billion to replenish the P.P.P.; $50 billion for the Small Business Administration’s disaster relief fund; $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing.
Even before the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon seemed omnipresent in American life, with half of U.S. households equipped with a Prime shipping and shopping account. Now Amazon is aggressively moving to capitalize on a newly captive market of millions of families unable or unwilling to shop normally.Even before the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon seemed omnipresent in American life, with half of U.S. households equipped with a Prime shipping and shopping account. Now Amazon is aggressively moving to capitalize on a newly captive market of millions of families unable or unwilling to shop normally.
While Amazon might be poised to dominate, resistance to it is beginning to coalesce. Labor organizations, immigrant groups and antimonopoly activists are working together for the first time in the hopes of restraining the company, which they see as using its power in ways that hurt employees and weaken society.While Amazon might be poised to dominate, resistance to it is beginning to coalesce. Labor organizations, immigrant groups and antimonopoly activists are working together for the first time in the hopes of restraining the company, which they see as using its power in ways that hurt employees and weaken society.
“If you relentlessly squeeze workers and suppliers, if you undermine every community’s local businesses, if you capture all of this surplus under the guise of efficiency and channel those gains to a small number of people, you end up with a system that is very vulnerable,” said Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and one of the leaders of the opposition.“If you relentlessly squeeze workers and suppliers, if you undermine every community’s local businesses, if you capture all of this surplus under the guise of efficiency and channel those gains to a small number of people, you end up with a system that is very vulnerable,” said Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and one of the leaders of the opposition.
The immediate battleground is the hundreds of thousands of workers in the warehouses, who are being asked to step up even as they are fearful of the health risks. A handful of workers are publicly protesting, something Amazon has never experienced before. The company says it is “working around the clock to get necessary supplies delivered directly to the doorsteps of people who need them” but it is also firing employees who are speaking out.The immediate battleground is the hundreds of thousands of workers in the warehouses, who are being asked to step up even as they are fearful of the health risks. A handful of workers are publicly protesting, something Amazon has never experienced before. The company says it is “working around the clock to get necessary supplies delivered directly to the doorsteps of people who need them” but it is also firing employees who are speaking out.
“Amazon has never been more powerful, but the consequences of its power have never been more visible,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It’s laid bare.”“Amazon has never been more powerful, but the consequences of its power have never been more visible,” Ms. Mitchell said. “It’s laid bare.”
Millions of people are wondering about refunds from airlines, concert venues and learning institutions. For the 22 million people who have filed for unemployment benefits, it is probably a simple matter: You take absolutely everything back that you possibly can. Ditto for those who face a large imminent decline in income.Millions of people are wondering about refunds from airlines, concert venues and learning institutions. For the 22 million people who have filed for unemployment benefits, it is probably a simple matter: You take absolutely everything back that you possibly can. Ditto for those who face a large imminent decline in income.
But for consumers who are not yet desperate, it quickly gets complicated.But for consumers who are not yet desperate, it quickly gets complicated.
Some companies that already have your money are not very sympathetic. Take airlines: Some of the large carriers are of strategic importance to the economy, and this week they received their bailout. Yet even as they knew that they would almost certainly get their hands on our tax money, many held customers’ money hostage.Some companies that already have your money are not very sympathetic. Take airlines: Some of the large carriers are of strategic importance to the economy, and this week they received their bailout. Yet even as they knew that they would almost certainly get their hands on our tax money, many held customers’ money hostage.
Ticketmaster put itself back in consumers’ cross hairs by making it look like they could get their money back only if shows were canceled instead of postponed. The company now says that it was all a big misunderstanding and that most people can get their money in a month or two.Ticketmaster put itself back in consumers’ cross hairs by making it look like they could get their money back only if shows were canceled instead of postponed. The company now says that it was all a big misunderstanding and that most people can get their money in a month or two.
Vrbo, which relies equally on the hosts who make properties available and the guests who rent them, split things down the middle, asking guests to accept as little as 50 percent back from hosts, if they could not find alternate dates.Vrbo, which relies equally on the hosts who make properties available and the guests who rent them, split things down the middle, asking guests to accept as little as 50 percent back from hosts, if they could not find alternate dates.
Every refund request means weighing your household’s economic uncertainty against the perhaps equally precarious status of any given person or place that has your money but can’t deliver on all its promises. There is no rule book for these decisions.Every refund request means weighing your household’s economic uncertainty against the perhaps equally precarious status of any given person or place that has your money but can’t deliver on all its promises. There is no rule book for these decisions.
The British government announced on Monday a $1.55 billion bailout package for the country’s start-ups, in an effort to help keep afloat young, often-unprofitable tech companies that have been hit by the economic fallout of the coronavirus.The British government announced on Monday a $1.55 billion bailout package for the country’s start-ups, in an effort to help keep afloat young, often-unprofitable tech companies that have been hit by the economic fallout of the coronavirus.
Tech start-ups are inherently high-risk businesses and fail more often than not, but the package, worth 1.25 billion pounds ($1.55 billion), shows the government is concerned about losing young companies that could eventually grow to become larger parts of the economy.Tech start-ups are inherently high-risk businesses and fail more often than not, but the package, worth 1.25 billion pounds ($1.55 billion), shows the government is concerned about losing young companies that could eventually grow to become larger parts of the economy.
European leaders have long viewed the inability to build large tech companies, as the United States and China have, as an existential threat. In recent weeks, France and Germany have taken similar steps to support start-ups that are struggling as a result of the virus.European leaders have long viewed the inability to build large tech companies, as the United States and China have, as an existential threat. In recent weeks, France and Germany have taken similar steps to support start-ups that are struggling as a result of the virus.
Britain said £500 million would be available through the “Future Fund” to invest in high-growth start-ups if the companies can find matching funds. The money would be available as loans that could convert to equity stakes in the company. An additional £750 million would be available to smaller businesses focused on research and development, according to the Treasury Department.Britain said £500 million would be available through the “Future Fund” to invest in high-growth start-ups if the companies can find matching funds. The money would be available as loans that could convert to equity stakes in the company. An additional £750 million would be available to smaller businesses focused on research and development, according to the Treasury Department.
The coronavirus pandemic has united Americans of different races and income levels in deep pessimism about the economy, in contrast to the widely divergent views that prevailed before the crisis. Reporting was contributed by Michael de la Merced, Niraj Chokshi, Carlos Tejada, Austin Ramzy, Adam Satariano, Ron Lieber, Ben Casselman, Jim Tankersley and Kevin Granville.
Highly paid or less so, black or white, investors in the stock market or not, Americans largely expect a poor or mixed performance from the economy in the coming year and prolonged damage over the next five years, according to a poll for The New York Times by the online research firm SurveyMonkey.
Those groups also roundly support the stringent limits on economic activity that state and local officials have imposed to slow the spread of the virus and minimize its death toll.
Many who have lost low-income jobs doubt that they will regain employment anytime soon. But those with high incomes also expect economic troubles to persist, even though they are far less likely to have lost jobs or hours, or to be worried about losing them.
One group remains a relative holdout in expressing faith that the economy will experience continuous good times over the next five years and that their own families will be better off a year from now: conservative Republicans. They are also far more likely to oppose the restrictions on activity that public officials have put in place, saying they have gone too far.
Those divides hint at what could be an important chasm as President Trump continues to pressure local officials to get back to business more quickly, with the presidential election approaching in the fall.
Reporting was contributed by Niraj Chokshi, Carlos Tejada, Austin Ramzy, Adam Satariano, Ron Lieber, Ben Casselman, Jim Tankersley and Kevin Granville.