LONDON/BEIJING/HONG KONG: Global stock markets climbed Wednesday (Feb 12) on easing investor concerns over the economic impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus). There are meanwhile expectations that Beijing will introduce major stimulus policies to offset economic hits. COVID-19 emerged in central China late last year and has spooked equity and oil markets for weeks as it spread to more than two dozen countries. But with economic concerns easing, Brent crude oil rallied by two percent on Wednesday while safe-haven investment gold retreated. "This may be premature but stock markets are at record highs and central banks appear relatively relaxed about the whole situation."

Source: The Star February 12, 2020 15:00 UTC