COVID-19 worries once again monopolize global markets - Thursday Review, March 18

Markets focused on FED’s policy decision and France’s new pandemic-related restrictions

The US

Wall Street ended significantly lower as the market was hit by fresh worries about the rising COVID-19 infections in Europe, which led to new restrictions in France. USA30 fell 0.46%, and USA500 lost 1.48%. TECH100 dropped 3.02%, marking the most significant daily drop since February 25.

Crude oil lost 7.1%, trading at $60 per barrel.

Gold rose 0.5% to $1,735.05 per ounce.

Asia and Australia

The markets traded mostly higher, with investors digesting the US FED’s latest dovish policy decision. HongKong45 jumped 1.28%

Japan225 gained 0.80% after the state of emergency in the Tokyo area is due to expire on March 21.

Down under, Australia200 fell 0.65%.

Europe

Germany30 traded 0.7% higher, reaching a new all-time high. Despite France’s prime minister imposing a month-long lockdown in Paris and several regions due to the health crisis fueled by the new wave of COVID-19 infections, the country’s benchmark index grew 0.2%. UK100 lost 0.2% ahead of Bank of England’s policy decision meeting.

Brent oil traded 7% lower at $63.28 a barrel.

EUR/USD traded 0.3% lower at 1.1945.

Sources: reuters.com, investing.com