The coronavirus outbreak in China has generated economic waves that are rocking global commodities markets and disrupting the supply networks that act as the backbone of the global economy. Asian gas prices tumbled in response; benchmark prices for North Asian liquid natural gas are down more than 30 per cent in 2020. Copper prices have also been tested as China’s construction and automotive industries have stalled. Mr Morse, at Citigroup, said several key markets such as crude oil had already been showing softness, suggesting that the global economy was weak even before the virus hit. That could complicate any quick rebound for commodities prices.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2020 12:45 UTC