European, US Stocks Resume Slide As Virus Spreads, Oil Also Drops

European and US stock markets resumed their downward slide Thursday, while Brent oil prices slid below $50 a barrel for the first time since 2017 as global markets communicated more distress over the coronavirus.

The Dow experienced its latest violent swoon -- this time falling around 970 points or 3.6 percent -- as investors assessed the growing possibility the spreading coronavirus could ultimately depress the consumer-focused US economy.

European stocks markets also fell sharply, while the dollar pulled back against major currencies.

"On a week that has seen extraordinary action taken to stem the flow of pessimism, we are yet again heading towards the weekend surrounded by a sea of red," said market analyst Joshua Mahony at online trading firm IG.

"What was largely a Chinese issue just a month ago has turned into a global crisis that threatens to throw the world economy into recession."

Among the virus-related cancellations announced Thursday, Russia called off the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, its main business showcase set for June, while Italy said its sporting events will be held behind closed doors until April 3.

Across the world, 3,345 people have died from the virus and there have been 97,510 infections in 85 countries and territories.

US economic data thus far has not shown much of a hit from the coronavirus, but the market fears what is coming down the road.

"The market can factor in bad news if we have the data, but it's difficult dealing with uncertainty," said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist for Prudential Financial.

"If customers are afraid to go out, shopping, to dinner, then you see consumer spending going back and then you start seeing layoffs from small and midsize business owners," Krosby said.

Airlines swooped lower on gloomy industry forecasts on the back of coronavirus -- and after the collapse of British regional airline Flybe.

The world's airline sector could lose up to $113 billion in revenue this year due to the impact of coronavirus, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned.

Among US shares, United Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue all sank more than 10 percent, while planemaker Boeing and airplane engine manufacturer United Technologies also fell sharply.

Oil prices finished lower after ministers from the OPEC cartel of oil-producing countries recommended a drastic production cut of 1.5 million barrels per-day to their allies to counter a slump in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

However, it remains to be seen whether the OPEC+ states -- Russia in particular -- will be prepared to countenance such a large cut when they join the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries on Friday.

Meanwhile, the dollar retreated against the euro, pound and yen, the latest ripple effect from the Federal Reserve's emergency interest rate cut announced Tuesday.

Markets will be watching Friday's US employment report, but BK Asset Management's Kathy Lien said the greenback was unlikely to get much of a boost.

While the city of Wuhan - the centre of the outbreak - remains in lockdown, China's economy is slowly grinding back into action AFP / STR

"Investors will see a soft number as justification for further easing by the Federal Reserve," Lien said. "A strong number on the other hand will be dismissed as being delayed and not reflecting the true impact of coronavirus."

New York - Dow: DOWN 3.6 percent at 26,121.28 (close)

New York - S&P 500: DOWN 3.2 percent at 3,023.94 (close)

New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 3.1 percent at 8,738.60 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.6 percent at 6,705.43 points (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 1.5 percent at 11,944.72 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.9 percent at 5,361.10 (close)

Milan - FTSE MIB: DOWN 1.8 percent at 21,554.88 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 1.7 percent at 3,363.58 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 21,329.12 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 2.1 percent at 26,767.87 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 2.0 percent at 3,071.68 (close)

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 106.14 yen from 107.53 yen at 2200 GMT