23:46The Australian market rose 5.81% at the opening bell on Wednesday, following extraordinary gains of as much as 11% on US markets overnight. A view of digital market boards at the Australian Stock Exchange in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: James Gourley/EPAWith markets extremely volatile, it’s become something of mug’s game to try to explain the latest gyrations. While some analysts put the US market’s increase down to hopes a long-awaited stimulus package was close to being approved by congress, a more likely - if grimmer - explanation is that traders have reacted with glee to talk from Donald Trump that he might soon lift coronavirus restrictions. This would cost many lives but get cash moving in the economy again.

Source: The Guardian March 24, 2020 00:14 UTC