STOCK markets mostly fell yesterday, as investors worried about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak in China and rising interest rates in the United States.

A relief rally faded as the day wore on in Europe, while major US indices saw big declines after Monday brought some relief from recent negative sentiment.

The Dow closed more than 2% in the red, while the Nasdaq lost 4% in what Charles Schwab investment bank described as a sell-off fuelled by a range of bad omens, including looming rate increases from the Federal Reserve.

“Markets continued to grapple with several headwinds, including expected Fed aggressiveness moving forward, the ongoing war in Ukraine, inflation pressures, and Covid-related lockdowns in China,” said analysts at Charles Schwab investment bank.

Even US government data showing an increase in orders for big-ticket manufactured goods last month is not enough to turn around sentiment.

“The lacklustre response… is another indication that market participants have their doubts about stronger economic activity persisting in the face of clear growth obstacles like hawkish-minded central banks and ongoing supply chain pressures felt with lockdowns in China,” said Patrick J. O’Hare of Briefing.com.

The European single currency hit a two-year low against the dollar, which was boosted by its haven status amid Ukraine turmoil.

But world oil prices rebounded from heavy losses in recent days on fears over weaker Chinese demand.

China’s coronavirus flare-up has led authorities to impose strict containment measures in its biggest cities, shutting off millions of people and threatening to deal a hammer blow to the number-two economy in the world.

Hong Kong stocks edged up, but made only a small dent in the massive drop suffered the day before, while Shanghai extended more than 5% of losses of the previous day.

China crisis

Sentiment was soothed somewhat after the People’s Bank of China vowed to boost growth and consumption.

Beijing’s Covid-19 measures dealt a severe blow to its economy, leading to concerns about knock-on effects for the rest of the world – given its reliance on Chinese-made goods.

The crisis in China comes as traders grapple with a hawkish Fed, which is moving to control inflation that sits at a more than 40-year high.

US central bankers said they expect to lift rates several times this year to get a grip on prices, with Fed chair Jerome Powell indicating a half-point rise next month followed by more before January.

The Ukraine war has sparked additional market turmoil, owing to the impact on commodity prices and inflation. – AFP, April 27, 2022.