finance
monthly
Personal Finance. Money. Investing.
Contribute
Newsletter
Corporate

The End of March Sees Mixed Stock Market Reactions

Some Asian and European markets have strengthened following China's apparent economic bounce, but not enough to save a dismal quarter brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Posted: 31st March 2020 by
Finance Monthly
Share this article

Worldwide stock indexes experienced mixed fortunes on Tuesday, with some investors cheered by the Chinese economy’s apparent return to growth after a month spent battling the COVID-19 outbreak.

Among the indexes showing mild signs of recovery were the FTSE-100, which was up by 0.8% on Tuesday morning.

Other European stocks wobbled, with France’s CAC 40 seeing a 1% slide while Germany’s DAX was 0.6% down.

Despite the FTSE’s uptick, the London index remains roughly 26% down from its standing at the start of the year, having seen a mass sell-off following 9 March (colloquially known as “Black Monday”).

Showing greater optimism were Asian indexes, with Japan’s Nikkei rising by 0.9% and South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index closing after a 2.2% net increase.

These gains follow the overnight release of China’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for March as 52.0, an unexpectedly good showing for the nation’s economy after much of its production was put on hold during the month.

It is worth acknowledging, however, that a recovering stock market does not necessarily equate to a recovering economy. Also on Tuesday, the World Bank warned that 11 million people in East Asian countries, including China, are likely to face poverty as a result of economic downturn.

Countries must take action now – including urgent investments in healthcare capacity and targeted fiscal measures – to mitigate some of the immediate impacts,” the World Bank said in a press release.

About Finance Monthly

Universal Media logo
Finance Monthly is a comprehensive website tailored for individuals seeking insights into the world of consumer finance and money management. It offers news, commentary, and in-depth analysis on topics crucial to personal financial management and decision-making. Whether you're interested in budgeting, investing, or understanding market trends, Finance Monthly provides valuable information to help you navigate the financial aspects of everyday life.
© 2024 Finance Monthly - All Rights Reserved.
News Illustration

Get our free monthly FM email

Subscribe to Finance Monthly and Get the Latest Finance News, Opinion and Insight Direct to you every month.
chevron-right-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram