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Stock Markets Drop Across the Globe: Live Updates Stock Markets Slip Across the Globe: Live Updates
(about 3 hours later)
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.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.
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. European markets were about 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 emphasized 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 in futures markets, but they remained near historical lows amid concerns about oversupply. Prices for U.S. Treasury bonds were unchanged. Oil prices were up about 1 percent in futures markets but remained near historical lows amid concerns about oversupply.
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 Japan, the Nikkei 225 index ended the day down 0.9 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index closed down 0.6 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. An ad hoc network of companies, wealthy individuals, academics and former diplomats has emerged to help the United States get the Chinese-made goods it needs to save coronavirus patients and protect front-line workers — and, perhaps, help polish China’s dented image along the way.
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. The United States faces a desperate shortage of medical gear, including masks and ventilators, and Chinese factories are able to produce them. But a snarled supply chain and complicated politics stand between them, and those with stakes in keeping the U.S.-China relationship alive are stepping in to help.
“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 group includes people like Jack Ma and Joseph Tsai, the founders of Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant; Marc Benioff, a co-founder of Salesforce, who struck a pact with Alibaba last year to sell its services in China; and Yichen Zhang, the chairman of Citic Capital, a major Chinese investment firm affiliated with a state-run conglomerate.
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. Responding to calls for help from doctors, Mr. Zhang saw a chance to help one of Citic Capital’s portfolio companies, which got into the business of making protective gear for China during its own outbreak, and Yale University, which his daughter attends. He sent 10,000 masks and 40 protective gowns to Yale’s health clinic.
“It’s a business opportunity and a social responsibility,” said Henry Yin, Mr. Zhang’s assistant.
It will be illegal for anyone other than health officials to gain access to data collected to trace the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia 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 even to 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 that use the app and have been nearby for at least 15 minutes, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. When someone tests positive for the coronavirus, health officials could gain access to their data and contact others who might 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.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. Australia has had success alongside New Zealand in flattening the curve of coronavirus cases, with just 78 deaths, a daily growth rate of less than 1 percent and 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.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan promised this month that every household in Japan would receive two masks. Now many masks are being recalled, according to two of the companies who produced them, in response to complaints about their quality and cleanliness.
The Japanese manufacturers Itochu and Kowa said on Thursday that they would collect all undistributed masks and examining them for problems after requests from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Days earlier, Japan’s health department said it had received nearly 2,000 complaints about the masks after workers began delivering 500,000 of them meant for use by pregnant women.
Mr. Abe’s mask-giveaway plan was in trouble from the moment he announced it on April 1. Some on social media called it “Abenomasks,” a play on the leader’s economic plan, known as “Abenomics.” Others posted illustrations of the country’s most beloved cartoon families fighting over the masks — or trying to wear them simultaneously.
When distribution began, the parody turned to anger as people posted photos of newly opened masks covered in filth, or freshly washed ones that had shrunk to the point of being unusable.
Both companies said in statements on Thursday that heavy demand had forced them to produce the masks outside Japan — a not-so-subtle hint that the problems were related to unreliable foreign manufacturers.
While Itochu referred vaguely to problems “overseas,” Kowa singled out China.
Demand for surgical masks has been especially high in Japan, where it has long been customary to wear them during flu season, and even companies that would not normally produce them have gotten into the business.
On Tuesday, after a flood of eager consumers crashed the website of the electronics manufacturer Sharp, the company said it would hold a lottery for its latest line of masks.
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 discussing measures to return to normal. Businesses in Europe and the United States have begun detailing plans to reopen businesses. Major airlines have aggressively advertised the precautions they are taking to lure back passengers, including fogging cabins with disinfectant, restricting food service and 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.Early May is too soon to reopen auto factories, the U.A.W. says. 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.
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 was 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, which represents more than 400,000 workers, 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 said 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 that she expects an extension to be 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 to 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 announced plans to resume production in Southern states that have not been hit as hard by the virus. In Michigan, about 3,000 people have died from the coronavirus, including more than two dozen U.A.W. members.
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 will 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 chain L Brands, the owner of Victoria’s Secret, has 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 Thursday 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 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” had 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 excluded effects 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.
The mood among German business managers is more pessimistic than ever. The Ifo Institute’s monthly survey of business sentiment, a reliable indicator of the direction of Europe’s largest economy, plunged to its lowest level ever, the research organization in Munich said on Friday.
The ratings agency Standard & Poor’s issued a more pessimistic view of about two dozen major European banks, meaning that the lenders face a higher risk of downgrades that would make it more expensive for them to raise money on capital markets.
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, Livia Albeck-Ripka, Niraj Chokshi, Carlos Tejada and Daniel Victor. Reporting was contributed by Alexandra Stevenson, Nicholas Kulish, David Gelles, Sapna Maheshwari, Neal E. Boudette, Mohammed Hadi, Livia Albeck-Ripka, Niraj Chokshi, Ben Dooley, Jack Ewing, Carlos Tejada, Kevin Granville and Daniel Victor.