Stock markets around the world moved lower on Friday after word that the U.S. president has contracted the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But by the time the trading day opened on Friday, cooler heads were starting to prevail, as losses were pared. The so-called fear gauge of Wall Street, known as the VIX, rose five per cent to 29. The unemployment rate declined to 7.9 per cent from 8.4 per cent mainly because people left the workforce, Scotiabank economist Derek Holt noted. Word on Friday morning that Trump is experiencing "mild symptoms" from the virus added to the gloom and worry over the jobs report.

Source: CBC News October 02, 2020 12:17 UTC