This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8019912.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Airline shares hit by flu fears Airline shares hit by flu fears
(about 1 hour later)
Shares in airlines and travel firms have fallen sharply around the world on concerns about the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.Shares in airlines and travel firms have fallen sharply around the world on concerns about the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.
With the outbreak in Mexico spreading to the US and Canada, shares in cruise ship operator Carnival were down 7.7%, while British Airways had fallen 7.4%. With the outbreak in Mexico spreading to the US, Canada and Spain, shares in British Airways were down 8.4%, while cruise firm Carnival had fallen 7.5%.
Earlier, shares in airlines Qantas and Cathay Pacific had fallen.
Investors fear the flu outbreak may lead to people cancelling overseas trips, or even travel restrictions.Investors fear the flu outbreak may lead to people cancelling overseas trips, or even travel restrictions.
But some shares have risen, such as Roche, maker of a key anti-flu drug.
'Real concern''Real concern'
Analysts said investors were more cautious than panicked, but still concerned that if the outbreak worsened, especially in the US, it could potentially derail economic recovery efforts.Analysts said investors were more cautious than panicked, but still concerned that if the outbreak worsened, especially in the US, it could potentially derail economic recovery efforts.
Shares in airlines have fallen around the world SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico more than 100 people have diedGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8019832.stm">'I couldn't get out of bed' class="" href="/1/hi/health/8017585.stm">Q&A: Swine flu class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8019987.stm">In pictures: Swine flu
"In essence, this is an already dangerous time for financial markets so to have this spectre developing right now is just cause for some very real concern," said analyst James Hughes of CMC Markets. "In essence, this is an already dangerous time for financial markets, so to have this spectre developing right now is just cause for some very real concern," said analyst James Hughes of CMC Markets.
Shares in other UK-listed travel firms were also lower, with hotel business Intercontinental down 5.3%, and tour operators Thomas Cook and TUI both losing 4.3%. In other developments:
ABTA, the UK's main travel association, said there were "no suggestions" there had been any outbreaks of the flu in Mexico's main tourist regions. • Shares in most UK-listed travel firms were lower, with hotel business Intercontinental down 4.9%, and tour operator Thomas Cook falling 5.4%
"The Foreign Office has not imposed any travel restrictions, and as a result normal booking conditions apply," it said. • ABTA, the UK's main travel association, said there were "no suggestions" there had been any outbreaks of the flu in Mexico's main tourist regions, and that normal booking conditions still applied
Shares in some firms have risen following the flu news. Shares in the Swiss drug firm Roche - the manufacturer of the flu drug Tamiflu, which has already been shown to work against the outbreak in Mexico - were up 4%. • Airlines around the world have seen their shares fall, with Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific ending down 8% and Australia's Qantas losing 4%
"We are in the process of reinstating our activities and checking all the processes to see how we can scale up [production]," said a Roche spokeswoman. • German tour operator TUI says it is cancelling all flights to Mexico City as a precaution
• Shares in Swiss firm Roche - the manufacturer of anti-flu drug Tamiflu - rise 4% after it says it is increasing production. Shares in UK rival GlaxoSmithKline, which makes anti-flu drug Relenza, also gain, adding 3%
• Russia bans imports of pork from North and Latin America, despite the swine flu in question not infecting pigs
• US soy and corn prices have fallen on fears that the flu outbreak will cause a slump in demand for pork products, which would hit sales of animal feed
'Health emergency''Health emergency'
The UK's main FTSE 100 index was down 0.7%, or 30 points, at 4,126 in morning trading, while Germany's Dax had lost 1.6%. The declines in airline and travel stocks has dragged down most European and Asian stock markets.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng share index had earlier ended down 2.7%, with shares in Cathay Pacific losing 8%. Shares in airlines have fallen around the world
In Australia, shares in Qantas ended down 3.5%. In early afternoon trading, the UK's main FTSE 100 index was down 37 points, or 0.9%, at 4,119, while Germany's Dax had lost 1.6%.
US soy and corn prices have also fallen on fears that the flu outbreak will cause a slump in demand for pork products, which would hit demand for animal feed. Hong Kong's Hang Seng share index had earlier ended down 2.7%. Japan's Nikkei index managed to end up 0.2% after takeover news in the semiconductor sector.
Meanwhile, Russia has already introduced bans on meat imports from North and Latin America.
However, despite the name "swine flu", the new strain is not infecting pigs.
The World Health Organization has declared the flu a "public health emergency of international concern", warning that it could spark a pandemic, or global outbreak.The World Health Organization has declared the flu a "public health emergency of international concern", warning that it could spark a pandemic, or global outbreak.