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Global Markets Fall on Recovery Fears and China Tensions: Live Updates Global Markets Fall on Recovery Fears and China Tensions: Live Updates
(about 2 hours later)
Global markets on Monday were pointing to a downbeat beginning to the week, with stocks falling and futures markets predicting a negative opening for Wall Street.
Markets in France and Germany opened more than 3 percent lower, on a day when many markets were catching up after a trading holiday on Friday in much of the world. Futures market were predicting Wall Street would open about 0.6 percent lower.
Prices for U.S. Treasury bonds also rose during Asian trading, amid investor skepticism over the global economic outlook.
Sentiment was also hurt by rising tensions between the United States and China. The Trump administration, under pressure for its own bungles in dealing with the outbreak, has ramped up criticism of China’s response. Other governments have also added their criticism.
Shares in Hong Kong, which didn’t trade Thursday and Friday because of holidays, ended down 4.2 percent. South Korea’s Kospi index fell 2.7 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex lost 2.2 percent.
In London, the FTSE 100 index was down 0.5 percent early in the trading day. In Germany, the DAX index was down 3.2 percent. France’s CAC 40 index was down 3.7 percent.
J. Crew, known for producing preppy fashion with mass market appeal, filed for bankruptcy on Monday. The company is the first major retailer to fall victim to the pandemic that has hobbled the world economy.J. Crew, known for producing preppy fashion with mass market appeal, filed for bankruptcy on Monday. The company is the first major retailer to fall victim to the pandemic that has hobbled the world economy.
The company, whose popularity was lifted more than a decade ago by Michelle Obama, had amassed enormous debt even before the outbreak. Since then, it has seen sales virtually wiped out at more than 170 J. Crew stores and a further 140 operated under the popular Madewell brand that it also owns.The company, whose popularity was lifted more than a decade ago by Michelle Obama, had amassed enormous debt even before the outbreak. Since then, it has seen sales virtually wiped out at more than 170 J. Crew stores and a further 140 operated under the popular Madewell brand that it also owns.
J. Crew had struggled to keep up with changing tastes, but appeared to be adapting in recent months, having named Jan Singer, formerly of Nike and Victoria’s Secret, its new chief executive. The company had been planning an initial public offering this spring of Madewell, a popular denim brand among millennials, to pay down debt and revamp the J. Crew brand.J. Crew had struggled to keep up with changing tastes, but appeared to be adapting in recent months, having named Jan Singer, formerly of Nike and Victoria’s Secret, its new chief executive. The company had been planning an initial public offering this spring of Madewell, a popular denim brand among millennials, to pay down debt and revamp the J. Crew brand.
While it is the first major retailer to fall to the coronavirus, J. Crew is unlikely to be the last. The pandemic halved sales of clothing and related accessories in March and is believed to have had an even greater effect in April. Neiman Marcus is carrying significant debt, for example.While it is the first major retailer to fall to the coronavirus, J. Crew is unlikely to be the last. The pandemic halved sales of clothing and related accessories in March and is believed to have had an even greater effect in April. Neiman Marcus is carrying significant debt, for example.
And Brooks Brothers is already facing questions about its future.And Brooks Brothers is already facing questions about its future.
Wall Street was headed for a downbeat start to the week, and a third straight day of declines, following a drop in Europe and Asia, as investors remain on edge about the severity of the economic downturn.
Investors have been contending with two diverging ideas lately: encouraged by the progress made in combating the coronavirus pandemic, and hopeful that economies will begin to reopen soon, they bid stocks sharply higher in April.
But evidence of the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic to employment, corporate profits and the broader economy continues to roll in.
On Monday, the focus was on the risks, with sentiment hurt by rising tensions between the United States and China.
The Trump administration, under pressure for its own bungles in dealing with the outbreak, has ramped up criticism of China’s response. President Trump on Sunday said the Chinese government made a “horrible mistake” in its coronavirus response and then orchestrated a cover-up that allowed the pathogen to spread around the world. He has threatened new tariffs on Chinese products in response.
Shares of the big U.S. air carriers — Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines — were all sharply lower after Warren Buffett on Saturday said he had dumped his stakes in the companies. Because of the pandemic’s impact on travel, “the airline business — and I may be wrong, and I hope I’m wrong — but I think it, it changed in a very major way.”
In some global markets, the drop was partly a catch up to trading on Friday. Stocks in France and Germany, which had been closed Friday, fell more than 3 percent. But the FTSE 100 in Britain, which did trade on Friday, was only slightly lower.
Hong Kong’s economy shrank by 8.9 percent in the first three months of the year compared with a year earlier, according to government estimates, the worst plunge since the authorities began tracking similar data in 1974.Hong Kong’s economy shrank by 8.9 percent in the first three months of the year compared with a year earlier, according to government estimates, the worst plunge since the authorities began tracking similar data in 1974.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, Hong Kong’s economy contracted by 5.3 percent when compared with the fourth quarter.On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, Hong Kong’s economy contracted by 5.3 percent when compared with the fourth quarter.
Private consumption, imports and exports fell by about one-tenth. Social distancing, layoffs and concerns about the future of the economy led to a drop in spending.Private consumption, imports and exports fell by about one-tenth. Social distancing, layoffs and concerns about the future of the economy led to a drop in spending.
The coronavirus slowed Hong Kong’s economy before it spread around the world, so the semiautonomous Chinese city’s performance could offer a hint of what might happen elsewhere. But it was already in a recession brought by anti-government protests and the protracted trade war between the United States and China.The coronavirus slowed Hong Kong’s economy before it spread around the world, so the semiautonomous Chinese city’s performance could offer a hint of what might happen elsewhere. But it was already in a recession brought by anti-government protests and the protracted trade war between the United States and China.
Hong Kong could also offer a hint of what an emergence might look like. The city has managed to keep the outbreak under control through widespread use of masks, social distancing and aggressive efforts to track and isolate those who have been infected. The city has recorded 1,040 confirmed cases and four deaths, with no local cases reported over the past two weeks.Hong Kong could also offer a hint of what an emergence might look like. The city has managed to keep the outbreak under control through widespread use of masks, social distancing and aggressive efforts to track and isolate those who have been infected. The city has recorded 1,040 confirmed cases and four deaths, with no local cases reported over the past two weeks.
Schools, bars and public facilities have been closed, and a series of restrictions have been put in place to reduce the number of people in restaurants. Still, the city has avoided the broad lockdowns put in place in mainland China, Europe and the United States.Schools, bars and public facilities have been closed, and a series of restrictions have been put in place to reduce the number of people in restaurants. Still, the city has avoided the broad lockdowns put in place in mainland China, Europe and the United States.
The government has also introduced several stimulus measures, including tax cuts and handouts of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars each, or about $1,300, to adult residents.The government has also introduced several stimulus measures, including tax cuts and handouts of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars each, or about $1,300, to adult residents.
Hong Kong officials estimate that the economy will contract this year by 4 percent to 7 percent.Hong Kong officials estimate that the economy will contract this year by 4 percent to 7 percent.
Even as lines at food banks grow and Americans worry about getting enough to eat, farmers have had to destroy produce, smash eggs and dump milk as the demand from restaurants, hotels and schools has drastically declined in the coronavirus pandemic.Even as lines at food banks grow and Americans worry about getting enough to eat, farmers have had to destroy produce, smash eggs and dump milk as the demand from restaurants, hotels and schools has drastically declined in the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, the Department of Agriculture plans to spend $300 million on surplus produce, milk and meat and ship it to food banks. States have also joined the effort: New York is giving food banks $25 million to buy products made from extra milk produced on farms in the state.Now, the Department of Agriculture plans to spend $300 million on surplus produce, milk and meat and ship it to food banks. States have also joined the effort: New York is giving food banks $25 million to buy products made from extra milk produced on farms in the state.
Even college students have stepped in, renting trucks to rescue unsold onions and eggs from farms. They have created a website that connects farmers and food banks around the country.Even college students have stepped in, renting trucks to rescue unsold onions and eggs from farms. They have created a website that connects farmers and food banks around the country.
But the combined efforts are only a “drop in the bucket,” said Jackie Klippenstein, a senior vice president of the Dairy Farmers of America, the largest dairy co-op in the United States. The co-op has diverted almost a quarter of a million gallons of milk to food banks.But the combined efforts are only a “drop in the bucket,” said Jackie Klippenstein, a senior vice president of the Dairy Farmers of America, the largest dairy co-op in the United States. The co-op has diverted almost a quarter of a million gallons of milk to food banks.
And more food is coming — California strawberry growers are fretting about how to sell their goods, with peak harvest season approaching in May.And more food is coming — California strawberry growers are fretting about how to sell their goods, with peak harvest season approaching in May.
“Time is not on our side,” said Mary Coppola, a vice president at the United Fresh Produce Association, a trade group of fruit and vegetable growers and processors. “In my own personal opinion, we are not coming up with the supply-chain logistical solutions as quickly as produce is growing.”“Time is not on our side,” said Mary Coppola, a vice president at the United Fresh Produce Association, a trade group of fruit and vegetable growers and processors. “In my own personal opinion, we are not coming up with the supply-chain logistical solutions as quickly as produce is growing.”
FIGHTING FOOD WASTE Read our full story on plans to distribute onions, strawberries and eggs from farms to food banks.FIGHTING FOOD WASTE Read our full story on plans to distribute onions, strawberries and eggs from farms to food banks.
Amazon and Target are the focus of renewed labor protests over the health risks of working during a pandemic.Amazon and Target are the focus of renewed labor protests over the health risks of working during a pandemic.
In addition to earlier demands to keep workers safe, the protests featured a newer goal: to discourage employers from rolling back safety measures in a rush to return to business as usual, especially as states lift stay-at-home orders.In addition to earlier demands to keep workers safe, the protests featured a newer goal: to discourage employers from rolling back safety measures in a rush to return to business as usual, especially as states lift stay-at-home orders.
The companies are not unionized, and the scattered protests on Friday were organized ad hoc.The companies are not unionized, and the scattered protests on Friday were organized ad hoc.
Some Amazon workers said they were alarmed that the company was ending a policy of unlimited unpaid time off, which many workers had taken advantage of to avoid coronavirus exposure in warehouses.Some Amazon workers said they were alarmed that the company was ending a policy of unlimited unpaid time off, which many workers had taken advantage of to avoid coronavirus exposure in warehouses.
Jordan Flowers said he had declined to return to work Friday at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island. “They’re going to have to fire me,” said Mr. Flowers, who joined more than a dozen people, not all of them employees, in a protest nearby. “I choose my life over this.”Jordan Flowers said he had declined to return to work Friday at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island. “They’re going to have to fire me,” said Mr. Flowers, who joined more than a dozen people, not all of them employees, in a protest nearby. “I choose my life over this.”
An Amazon spokeswoman said that there was “no measurable impact on operations” from the protest and that the company was extending a $2-an-hour pay increase and double overtime pay in the United States and Canada through May 16. She did not dispute that the policy on unpaid time off had changed but said Amazon was providing a range of other leave-of-absence policies.An Amazon spokeswoman said that there was “no measurable impact on operations” from the protest and that the company was extending a $2-an-hour pay increase and double overtime pay in the United States and Canada through May 16. She did not dispute that the policy on unpaid time off had changed but said Amazon was providing a range of other leave-of-absence policies.
At Target, some workers expressed concern that the company was again allowing customers to return goods to stores, a practice that had been suspended to reduce potential virus exposure.At Target, some workers expressed concern that the company was again allowing customers to return goods to stores, a practice that had been suspended to reduce potential virus exposure.
“That’s a point of frustration,” said Adam Ryan, a Target worker in Christiansburg, Va., who helped organize a protest there. “When they stopped accepting returns from guests, we thought that was a good call.”“That’s a point of frustration,” said Adam Ryan, a Target worker in Christiansburg, Va., who helped organize a protest there. “When they stopped accepting returns from guests, we thought that was a good call.”
A Target spokeswoman confirmed that returns were again being accepted in stores, citing cleaning, safety and social distancing measures now in place. She said that the company knew of fewer than 10 of its 340,000 front-line workers who had taken part in the protest, and that it had extended a $2-an-hour wage increase until May 30.A Target spokeswoman confirmed that returns were again being accepted in stores, citing cleaning, safety and social distancing measures now in place. She said that the company knew of fewer than 10 of its 340,000 front-line workers who had taken part in the protest, and that it had extended a $2-an-hour wage increase until May 30.
The federal government has distributed stimulus loans worth more than $1 billion to public companies as part of a program meant to protect payrolls at small businesses, according to an analysis of public filings and company announcements by The New York Times.The federal government has distributed stimulus loans worth more than $1 billion to public companies as part of a program meant to protect payrolls at small businesses, according to an analysis of public filings and company announcements by The New York Times.
In total, more than 300 publicly traded firms have disclosed receiving loans from the roughly $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which is administered by the Small Business Administration.In total, more than 300 publicly traded firms have disclosed receiving loans from the roughly $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which is administered by the Small Business Administration.
The loans have set off an outcry, and led the agency to issue new guidance pushing the public companies to return the money, especially as many smaller operations were left empty-handed in the early stages of the program. In recent weeks, at least 32 public and private companies have disclosed that they had returned loans, including the burger chain Shake Shack and car dealerships like AutoNation.The loans have set off an outcry, and led the agency to issue new guidance pushing the public companies to return the money, especially as many smaller operations were left empty-handed in the early stages of the program. In recent weeks, at least 32 public and private companies have disclosed that they had returned loans, including the burger chain Shake Shack and car dealerships like AutoNation.
As China’s economy struggles to get back on track, the problems of Anbang, a debt-saddled insurer, is highlighting the obstacles of the country’s reliance on borrowing.
Anbang once spent billions of dollars scooping up overseas hotels and trophy real estate like the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Two years ago, it was seized by China’s insurance regulator and has been trying to shed its portfolio of foreign assets ever since.
Now one of those efforts, a $5.8 billion deal to sell 15 U.S. hotels to a South Korean asset manager, Mirae Asset Global Investments, has fallen through. Mirae said on Monday that it terminated the deal last month after Anbang breached its contractual obligations.
It is the latest deal to be scuppered as the pandemic devastates financial markets and takes a toll on sectors like tourism. Governments around the world have restricted travel, leading to widespread booking cancellations.
In an emailed statement, Mirae accused Anbang of trying to close the transaction on April 17 despite breaching some obligations, resulting in the termination of the contract. Among the breaches was a failure by Anbang to disclose liabilities on some hotel properties, Mirae said. Anbang is suing Mirae in the United States, saying the termination was improper.
Mirae “categorically denies Anbang’s claims,” the company said in the statement. Anbang did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Approximately 36,000 employees of news media companies have been affected by layoffs, pay cuts or furloughs since the coronavirus crisis began in earnest in the United States in March, according to New York Times estimates.Approximately 36,000 employees of news media companies have been affected by layoffs, pay cuts or furloughs since the coronavirus crisis began in earnest in the United States in March, according to New York Times estimates.
Recent weeks have brought layoffs at The New York Post and Protocol, while other outlets, such as Condé Nast, continue to ponder them. But on the other hand, the hundreds of billions of dollars in federal stimulus money have begun to arrive in bank accounts. The Vermont weekly newspaper Seven Days even brought five laid-off employees back after receiving its Paycheck Protection Program loan. But such loans still may not go to newspapers owned by large chains. Recent weeks have brought layoffs at The New York Post and Protocol, while other outlets, such as Condé Nast, continue to ponder them. But on the other hand, the hundreds of billions of dollars in federal stimulus money have begun to arrive in bank accounts. The Vermont weekly newspaper Seven Days even brought five laid-off employees back after receiving its Paycheck Protection Program loan. But such loans still may not go to newspapers owned by large chains.
This week, the general public will begin to get a fuller look at how the crisis has affected newspapers in particular as Gannett, Lee Enterprises and The New York Times Company all make their quarterly earnings reports.This week, the general public will begin to get a fuller look at how the crisis has affected newspapers in particular as Gannett, Lee Enterprises and The New York Times Company all make their quarterly earnings reports.
Taubman, the shopping mall owner, said that it would reopen three major shopping centers on May 6 as retailers aim to return to business: International Plaza in Tampa, Fla.; The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Fla.; and City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company made its plans known after Simon Property Group, the biggest mall operator in the United States, said that it planned to reopen 49 malls this weekend across 10 states. Macy’s, which also owns Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, said on Thursday that it planned to open 68 stores on Monday.Taubman, the shopping mall owner, said that it would reopen three major shopping centers on May 6 as retailers aim to return to business: International Plaza in Tampa, Fla.; The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Fla.; and City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company made its plans known after Simon Property Group, the biggest mall operator in the United States, said that it planned to reopen 49 malls this weekend across 10 states. Macy’s, which also owns Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, said on Thursday that it planned to open 68 stores on Monday.
Reporting was contributed by Kate Conger, Michael Corkery, David Yaffe-Bellany, Vanessa Friedman, Sapna Maheshwari, Austin Ramzy, Michael J. de la Merced, Carlos Tejada, Noam Scheiber, David McCabe, Marc Tracy and Sapna Maheshwari. Reporting was contributed by Alexandra Stevenson, Kate Conger, Michael Corkery, David Yaffe-Bellany, Vanessa Friedman, Austin Ramzy, Michael J. de la Merced, Carlos Tejada, Noam Scheiber, David McCabe, Marc Tracy and Sapna Maheshwari.