Bloomberg The Bank of Korea (BOK) said on Wednesday it will seek to monitor and stabilise markets, stopping short of following the Federal Reserve in easing policy to respond to the coronavirus epidemic. The BOK said it would consider changes in the policy environment, including the Fed’s 0.5% rate cut and a joint statement from Group of Seven finance chiefs …

Bloomberg Cracks are starting to appear in rupee’s defences with new coronavirus cases being reported in India. The rupee slid as much as 0.4% to 73.6 per dollar on Wednesday to become the worst performing Asian currency. India has so far reported 28 positive cases, which includes 15 Italian tourists. The currency had stayed relatively stable earlier in the absence …

Bloomberg Thailand’s top provider of jet refueling services said its goal of greener business operations will help cushion the blow from the coronavirus outbreak, which is hurting demand by stalling tourism. The firm, Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services, is building a 586-kilometrepipeline from central to northern Thailand to transport oil products for automobiles and industry. The connection is expected to be …

Bloomberg American stock-index futures rose with European equities as investors took in surprises from the US presidential primary along with market reactions to the Federal Reserve’s emergency interest-rate cut. Treasuries higher continued their rally, while the dollar steadied. Contracts on the S&P 500 rebounded from a tumble on Tuesday, when the 50 basis-point Fed move failed to ease concerns about …

Bloomberg Indian stocks declined, with the benchmark headed for its lowest level in more than four months, after the health ministry reported new novel coronavirus cases. The S&P BSE Sensex dropped 1.6% to 37,996.89 in Mumbai on Wednesday after earlier swinging between gains and losses. The index rebounded on March 3, snapping the worst seven-day rout in almost five years …

Bloomberg Just as stocks everywhere are being whipsawed by concern that the spreading coronavirus outbreak could bring global economic growth to a standstill, Hong Kong equities have shown relative stability. The Hang Seng Index hasn’t seen a move exceeding 3% in either direction in six months, while the S&P 500 Index has posted moves of that magnitude in four out …

Bloomberg Target Corp delivered a sanguine outlook for the year ahead, saying the coronavirus hasn’t had a big impact on operations yet while pressing ahead with growth initiatives online and in the stores. While the retailer has witnessed “aggressive shopping” as consumers stockpile food and other household essentials in recent days, Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell told investors that he …

Bloomberg More travel restrictions will be announced soon to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief David Pekoske. “There will be additional countries, I’m sure, as we continue to work with the task force, and I think those announcements will be relatively soon,” Pekoske told the US Senate Appropriations Committee’s homeland security panel. The comments …

Bloomberg Amazon.com’s Prime Now and Amazon Fresh delivery services have been overwhelmed by demand, a sign that virus-spooked shoppers are turning to the world’s largest online retailer to avoid going to brick-and-mortar stores. Amazon warned customers that both services would have limited availability, meaning orders are being delivered more slowly than usual. The company hasn’t reduced the number of people …

Bloomberg Ryanair Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary said the European discount airline is in talks with Boeing Co about a follow-on order for the US manufacturer’s grounded Max model. While the Max has been idled worldwide for close to a year after two fatal crashes, Ryanair is in “active discussions” to buy more of the narrow-body planes, O’Leary …