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Stock Markets Slip Across the Globe: Live Updates Stock Markets Slip Across the Globe: Live Updates
(32 minutes 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. Stocks on Wall Street were set to post small gains Friday, even as shares in global markets slumped, as a week of dramatic turns in the financial markets came to a close.
European markets were about 1 percent lower after a down day in Asia. Futures markets were predicting a similarly desultory opening for Wall Street. Futures on the S&P 500 indicated that the benchmark would open higher. Shares in Europe were slightly lower, and Asian markets had also had a down day.
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. But the focus among traders this week has been oil prices, after the American benchmark for crude crashed into negative territory on Monday — an unprecedented move that broke through the relative calm that had settled over financial markets. On Monday, stocks suffered their sharpest drop in three weeks after the dive in oil prices, and even after rebounding slightly the S&P 500 is still on track to end the week with a drop.
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. Still, any gains to come Friday are subject to a sudden change in sentiment, or reversals in efforts to reopen economies. Economic and corporate data continues to outline the toll the coronavirus has taken on the global economy, and American officials emphasized that recovery would be difficult.
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. And even as manufacturers begin to consider reopening factories, they face opposition in some quarters. For example, 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.
It helped that lawmakers in Washington continue to advance measures to support the economy. President Trump is expected to sign into a law on Friday a $484 billion coronavirus package that would revive a depleted loan program for distressed small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and testing.
Also, oil prices continued to find a footing, with a climb of about 1 percent in futures markets. Still, they remain near historical lows amid concerns about oversupply.
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.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.
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.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.
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 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.
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.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’s a business opportunity and a social responsibility,” said Henry Yin, Mr. Zhang’s assistant.
Last month, big restaurant chains like KFC, Wendy’s and Papa John’s asked the federal government for $145 billion in coronavirus relief funds.
These companies had been highly profitable in recent years. So where had all their money gone? Like much of corporate America, the restaurant chains had spent a large chunk on buying back their own stock, a practice aimed at bolstering its price, Emily Flitter and Peter Eavis report.
Few, if any, corporations could have been adequately prepared for this pandemic, and efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus have hit certain industries particularly hard — especially restaurant companies that have been forced to close most of their locations.
Still, the crisis has exposed the potential failings of the shareholder-focused strategy embraced by many big companies. Shareholders, wanting stock prices to go higher, pushed management to use cash on buybacks and dividends. And senior executives, paid largely in stock and on the basis of how the stock performed, were happy to oblige.
The result was that companies often didn’t have much spare cash, leaving them more exposed to economic downturns.
Although the restaurant chains did not get an industrywide bailout, many individual outlets do qualify for relief funds. And other big companies that received bailouts — like American Airlines and Boeing — spent tens of billions of dollars on stock buybacks in recent years.
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.”
The union, which represents more than 400,000 workers, is an influential voice in the labor movement and manufacturing industry.
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 to reopen plants.
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 will begin phasing in production at its U.S. plant on May 3.
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 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.”“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.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, 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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.”
The union, which represents more than 400,000 workers, is an influential voice in the labor movement and manufacturing industry.
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 to reopen plants.
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 will begin phasing in production at its U.S. plant on May 3.
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.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” had 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 excluded effects 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.
Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of the disinfectants Lysol and Dettol issued a statement on Friday warning against the improper use of their products after President Trump theorized about the possible medical benefits of disinfectants in the fight against the virus.
“As a global leader in health and hygiene products, we must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route),” the company said. The words “under no circumstance” were highlighted in bold.
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 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. 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. Among the banks now regarded by S&P as having a negative outlook are Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank in Germany; ING Group in the Netherlands; Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank in Britain; and BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole in France.
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 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.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.