LONDON/TOKYO: Share prices around the world, particularly in Japan, took a hit Tuesday (Feb 25) amid mounting fears about the economic impact of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. With cases of the virus outside China rising, traders are fretting about the global implications of the outbreak. China, the epicentre of the outbreak, faces the most acute near-term difficulties as factories lie idle and people remain homebound. In Asia, Hang Seng edged 0.3% higher, to 26,893.23 and the Shanghai Composite index shed 0.6% to 3,013.05. The mood was far calmer in foreign exchange markets with the euro down 0.2% at $1.0834 while the dollar was flat at 110.70 yen.

Source: The Star February 25, 2020 14:15 UTC