March, 2020

• 31 March

  China is using more coal again. This time it may be a good thing

  

  Bloomberg China is burning more coal in yet another sign that the first country hit by a coronavirus outbreak is returning to a level of normalcy. Daily coal burn at select coastal plants has doubled from early February, at the height of the country’s lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19. The plants are responding to resurgent electricity demand as …

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• 31 March

  China’s CNIC eyes stake in India renewable firm

  Bloomberg Chinese state-backed investment fund CNIC Corp is considering purchasing about a 10% stake in Greenko Group, one of India’s largest renewable energy companies, according to people familiar with the matter. Greenko, whose backers include Singapore sovereign fund GIC Pte has been seeking to raise around $800 million by introducing a long-term investor, said one of the people. The Indian …

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• 31 March

  US futures advance with stocks; dollar strengthens

  

  Bloomberg US equity futures and European stocks headed for a fifth increase in six sessions, spurring debate over whether the meltdown has ended given the continued spread of the coronavirus. Treasuries edged higher. Contracts on the three main American stock indexes turned from losses to gains overnight as political leaders contemplate a fourth round of stimulus. Battered travel and leisure …

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• 31 March

  Indian stocks climb, paring worst Sensex quarterly loss ever

  

  Bloomberg India stocks advanced on Tuesday as some investors found value in riskier assets with the benchmark equity index capping its worst quarter ever. The S&P BSE Sensex Index rose 3.6% at the close in Mumbai. The quarterly drop of 29%, as the nation saw an acceleration of virus cases and imposed a three-week lockdown, surpasses the previous record of …

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• 31 March

  Worst-ever quarter for S African stocks sees gold lining

  Bloomberg South Africa’s stock market is set for its worst quarter on record as the coronavirus ravages global equities, but gold miners are at least shining amid the gloom. The FTSE/JSE Africa Gold Mining Index is the sole Johannesburg industry sector to post gains in 2020, rising 11% as bullion prices advance for the sixth consecutive quarter. The broader South …

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• 31 March

  Retailers furlough 500,000 in US despite stimulus law

  

  Bloomberg Three days after President Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus into law, Kohl’s Corp, Macy’s Inc and Gap Inc joined the growing number of retailers to halt pay for much of their workforce on March 30, while preserving some benefits. With these furloughs, that brings the total number of employees who are out a paycheck at major US chains …

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• 31 March

  Virgin Australia seeks government rescue loan

  

  Bloomberg Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd asked the government for a A$1.4 billion ($863 million) loan to get through the coronavirus crisis. The airline, which is mostly owned by other foreign carriers, sought the aid as part of a A$5 billion support package it’s seeking for the Australian aviation industry, a spokesman for Virgin Australia said. The loss-making airline has furloughed …

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• 31 March

  Air Canada puts 16,500 staff on furlough, cuts operations

  

  Bloomberg Air Canada will cut capacity by as much as 90% next quarter and temporarily reduce its workforce by about 16,500 to reduce costs during the coronavirus crisis. The decision, effective on or around April 3, puts 15,200 unionised employees on “off-duty status” while 1,300 managers will also be furloughed, the airline said. The company said the cuts were required …

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• 31 March

  Southwest CEO seeks cost cuts with airline ‘living day to day’

  

  Bloomberg Southwest Airlines Co is “in intensive care,” its chief executive officer said, urging employees to keep cutting expenses wherever possible as the new coronavirus continues to erode travel. The US discounter is evaluating the $50 billion federal programme that will provide loans and cash payments to help carriers meet payroll and other employee costs. It’s premature to know “how …

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• 31 March

  Spirit Air halts flights to LaGuardia, Newark

  Bloomberg Spirit Airlines Inc is temporarily suspending service at five airports in the US Northeast because of heightened government travel advisories aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus. The pause begin this week at New York’s LaGuardia and New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International, Spirit said in an email. The discounter is also halting service to Hartford, Connecticut, and two destinations …

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