TOKYO - Asian shares steadied on Friday in holiday-thinned trade for the Lunar New Year, despite fears that a new coronavirus from China could spread rapidly as millions of people travel over the week-long break.
European shares, which had closed before the WHO announcement, were expected to rebound on Friday, with major European stock futures trading up around 0.7-0.9%, with a more positive tone. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.20% to a record closing high, while the S&P 500 added 0.11% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average eased 0.09%.
“The impact on Chinese growth could be significant given the outbreak coincides with the Chinese New Year,” said Tapas Strickland, NAB’s director of economics in Sydney.
Dollar strengthening an appropriate concern?