Stock rally stalls as US virus response disappoints
The S&P/NZX 50 Index rose as much as 2.7 percent in early trading as investors recovered some lost confidence after a savage start to the week. The stand-off between Russia and Saudi Arabia over oil production added more uncertainty to an environment where a global recession remains a live threat in the face of the virus outbreak.
But the local benchmark index ended the day down 23.87 points, or 0.2 percent, at 10,873.60. Within the index, 22 stocks fell, 26 rose, and two were unchanged. Turnover was heavier than usual at $247.9 million.
Shane Solly, a portfolio manager at Harbour Asset Management, said the initial rally was on the expectation that US President Donald Trump would announce a more detailed response to the virus outbreak. When that didn't happen, financial markets soured.
“One of the things, globally, that people are looking for is monetary and fiscal stimulus, so that’s going to be quite important,” he said.
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