Global stocks fall amid fears of new virus in China

Chinese and European stocks show a decline amid concerns about the spread of a new coronavirus in China. The virus, which broke out at the beginning of the year in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has already spread to many cities of the country and claimed the lives of several people.

The Shanghai Composite index fell 1.4%, hitting its lowest level for the year, while the blue-chip CSI300 index fell 1.7% to a two-week low. Both benchmarks lost all the growth caused earlier by the signing of the first phase trade agreement between the US and China. In particular, shares of airlines, movie theater operators and casinos fell. At the same time, the quotes of drug manufacturers increased.

European stocks are also getting cheaper. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.75%. Shares of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE fell 2.7%, Burberry Group – 3.43%, and Compagnie Financiere Richemont shares fell 3.4%.

Chinese President XI Jinping said that the authorities intend to make containment of the epidemic a top priority, which drew the attention of investors to the seriousness of the crisis situation.