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Stock Markets Drop Across Asia: Live Updates Stock Markets Drop Across the Globe: Live Updates
(about 4 hours later)
Asia markets fell on Friday after Wall Street gave up its gains in a late-session slump, as investors processed more bad news from the coronavirus outbreak. Global markets fell on Friday after Wall Street gave up its gains in a late-session slump, as investors processed more bad news from the coronavirus outbreak.
Japan stocks led a moderate drop across the region by midday. Futures markets were predicting similarly desultory openings for Wall Street and European markets. European markets opened more than 1 percent lower after a down day in Asia. Futures markets were predicting a similarly desultory opening for Wall Street.
Investors appeared to be taking their cues from Wall Street, which gave up its earlier gains late on Thursday to end mostly flat. Economic and corporate data continued to outline the toll the coronavirus has taken on the global economy, and American officials continued to emphasize that recovery would be difficult.Investors appeared to be taking their cues from Wall Street, which gave up its earlier gains late on Thursday to end mostly flat. Economic and corporate data continued to outline the toll the coronavirus has taken on the global economy, and American officials continued to emphasize that recovery would be difficult.
Prices for U.S. Treasury bonds, which typically rise when investors want to park their money in a safe place, gained in Asian trading hours. Oil prices rose strongly in futures markets, but they remained near historical lows amid concerns about oversupply. Prices for U.S. Treasury bonds, which typically rise when investors want to park their money in a safe place, gained in Asian trading hours. Oil prices rose in futures markets, but they remained near historical lows amid concerns about oversupply.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index was down 0.8 percent as of midday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 0.3 percent. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.6 percent. South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.6 percent as well. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index fell 0.9 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 0.5 percent. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index fell 1.1 percent. South Korea’s Kospi lost 1.3 percent.
In London, the FTSE 100 index was down 1.2 percent in early trading. France’s CAC 40 was down 1.5 percent. The DAX in Germany was down 1.6 percent.
It will be illegal for anyone other than health officials to gain access to data collected to trace the spread of the coronavirus, Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, said on Friday, amid growing global concern around the misuse of such data.
“It’s got one job. Just one job,” Mr. Morrison told reporters in Canberra on Friday, adding that information collected from the tracing software would go into a fully encrypted national data store that would be inaccessible to even the government. “There is no geolocation. There is no tracking of people’s movements. None of that is true.”
The application, which is set to be released shortly, uses Bluetooth technology to identify other phones using the app that have been nearby for at least 15 minutes, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. When someone tests positive, health officials could access their data and contact others who could have been exposed.
Many countries in Asia and Europe have employed similar tactics, while Apple and Google have been working to build the feature into smartphones.
Australia has had success alongside New Zealand in flattening the curve of coronavirus cases, with just 78 deaths so far, and a daily growth rate of less than 1 percent, with per capita testing among the highest in the world. The country is also considering easing some social distancing measures as soon as next month, the authorities have said.
Stocks on Wall Street ended virtually unchanged on Thursday as an early rally, fueled by a surge in oil prices, faded.Stocks on Wall Street ended virtually unchanged on Thursday as an early rally, fueled by a surge in oil prices, faded.
The S&P 500, which rose as much as 1.6 percent earlier in the day, was flat by the close of trading. The ups and downs came as investors absorbed more grim economic news: Millions more workers claimed unemployment benefits in the United States and data from Europe highlighted the heavy toll of shutdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The S&P 500, which rose as much as 1.6 percent earlier in the day, was flat by the close of trading. The ups and downs came as investors absorbed more grim economic news: Millions more workers claimed unemployment benefits in the United States and data from Europe highlighted the heavy toll of shutdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Investors have been shrugging off such data in recent weeks, as the shock of the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic fades and they begin to expect an eventual recovery.Investors have been shrugging off such data in recent weeks, as the shock of the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic fades and they begin to expect an eventual recovery.
Governments have started to discuss measures to return to normal. Businesses in Europe and the United States have begun to detail their plans to reopen businesses. Major airlines have already aggressively advertised the precautions they are taking to lure back passengers, from fogging cabins with disinfectant to restricting food service to blocking out middle seats.Governments have started to discuss measures to return to normal. Businesses in Europe and the United States have begun to detail their plans to reopen businesses. Major airlines have already aggressively advertised the precautions they are taking to lure back passengers, from fogging cabins with disinfectant to restricting food service to blocking out middle seats.
Lawmakers in Washington continue to advance measures to support the economy. The House will vote on Thursday on a $484 billion coronavirus package that would revive a depleted loan program for distressed small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and testing. Lawmakers in Washington continue to advance measures to support the economy. The House will vote on Thursday on a $484 billion coronavirus package that would revive a depleted loan program for distressed small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and testing.Early May is too soon to reopen auto factories, the U.A.W. says.
The United Automobile Workers union said on Thursday that it was opposed to companies restarting auto production next month, saying it is not yet safe for its members to return to work.The United Automobile Workers union said on Thursday that it was opposed to companies restarting auto production next month, saying it is not yet safe for its members to return to work.
“At this point in time, the U.A.W. does not believe the scientific data is conclusive that it is safe to have our members back in the workplace,” the union’s president, Rory Gamble, said in a statement. “We have not done enough testing to really understand the threat our members face.”“At this point in time, the U.A.W. does not believe the scientific data is conclusive that it is safe to have our members back in the workplace,” the union’s president, Rory Gamble, said in a statement. “We have not done enough testing to really understand the threat our members face.”
The union represents more than 400,000 workers and is an influential voice in the labor movement and manufacturing industry.The union represents more than 400,000 workers and is an influential voice in the labor movement and manufacturing industry.
Mr. Gamble added the union supported an extension of the stay-at-home order in effect in Michigan. That order, by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, expires on April 30 but she has said she expected an extension was warranted.Mr. Gamble added the union supported an extension of the stay-at-home order in effect in Michigan. That order, by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, expires on April 30 but she has said she expected an extension was warranted.
General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler have been discussing with the union when and how they will reopen plants.General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler have been discussing with the union when and how they will reopen plants.
The union’s statement comes as some nonunion automakers announce plans to resume production in southern states that have not been hit as hard by the virus as Michigan, where 3,000 people, including more than two dozen U.A.W. members, have died from the coronavirus.The union’s statement comes as some nonunion automakers announce plans to resume production in southern states that have not been hit as hard by the virus as Michigan, where 3,000 people, including more than two dozen U.A.W. members, have died from the coronavirus.
Earlier on Thursday, Toyota Motor said it was preparing to restart operations at its U.S. plants on May 4. Volkswagen has said it would begin phasing in production at its U.S. plant on May 3.Earlier on Thursday, Toyota Motor said it was preparing to restart operations at its U.S. plants on May 4. Volkswagen has said it would begin phasing in production at its U.S. plant on May 3.
L Brands, the owner of Victoria’s Secret, shot back at the private equity firm that has been trying to terminate its acquisition of the retail chainL Brands, the owner of Victoria’s Secret, shot back at the private equity firm that has been trying to terminate its acquisition of the retail chain
The effort on the part of the firm, Sycamore Partners, to end the deal because of the coronavirus outbreak is “invalid” and “pure gamesmanship” after it failed to renegotiate the price, L Brands said in a Delaware court filing on ThursdayThe effort on the part of the firm, Sycamore Partners, to end the deal because of the coronavirus outbreak is “invalid” and “pure gamesmanship” after it failed to renegotiate the price, L Brands said in a Delaware court filing on Thursday
The dispute has become the most prominent example of a buyer trying to back out of a deal because of the pandemic.The dispute has become the most prominent example of a buyer trying to back out of a deal because of the pandemic.
Sycamore said on Wednesday that L Brands had violated terms of its February transaction agreement and that a “material adverse effect” occurred because of the pandemic, allowing it to terminate the deal to buy 55 percent of Victoria’s Secret for about $525 million.Sycamore said on Wednesday that L Brands had violated terms of its February transaction agreement and that a “material adverse effect” occurred because of the pandemic, allowing it to terminate the deal to buy 55 percent of Victoria’s Secret for about $525 million.
L Brands said on Thursday that when the deal was negotiated, “the world was already well aware of the existence of Covid-19, and the parties agreed that Sycamore would bear the risk of any adverse impacts stemming from such a pandemic.” The definition of a “material adverse effect” explicitly carved out impacts from pandemics, the company said.L Brands said on Thursday that when the deal was negotiated, “the world was already well aware of the existence of Covid-19, and the parties agreed that Sycamore would bear the risk of any adverse impacts stemming from such a pandemic.” The definition of a “material adverse effect” explicitly carved out impacts from pandemics, the company said.
The company called Sycamore’s stance “pure gamesmanship.” Sycamore sent L Brands a letter on April 13 saying that it wanted to renegotiate the purchase price and other terms of the deal because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to L Brands. When the company declined to renegotiate — because the agreement “expressly allocates the risk of pandemics to Sycamore” — the private equity firm sent a termination notice and filed the subsequent lawsuit, according to the filing.The company called Sycamore’s stance “pure gamesmanship.” Sycamore sent L Brands a letter on April 13 saying that it wanted to renegotiate the purchase price and other terms of the deal because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to L Brands. When the company declined to renegotiate — because the agreement “expressly allocates the risk of pandemics to Sycamore” — the private equity firm sent a termination notice and filed the subsequent lawsuit, according to the filing.
Starting Friday, all 25,000 United Airlines flight attendants will be required to wear masks while on duty, the airline said. United is the first major U.S. airline to mandate masks. The union that represents flight attendants there and at more than a dozen other airlines separately asked the Transportation Department and Health and Human Services Department to mandate the same industrywide.Starting Friday, all 25,000 United Airlines flight attendants will be required to wear masks while on duty, the airline said. United is the first major U.S. airline to mandate masks. The union that represents flight attendants there and at more than a dozen other airlines separately asked the Transportation Department and Health and Human Services Department to mandate the same industrywide.
Reporting was contributed by Sapna Maheshwari, Neal E. Boudette, Mohammed Hadi, Niraj Chokshi, Carlos Tejada and Daniel Victor. Reporting was contributed by Sapna Maheshwari, Neal E. Boudette, Mohammed Hadi, Livia Albeck-Ripka, Niraj Chokshi, Carlos Tejada and Daniel Victor.