March, 2020

• 18 March

  India’s Sensex falls to 3-year low as virus torments economy

  

  Bloomberg Indian equities declined anew, with the benchmark index tumbling to a three-year low, as worries mounted that the world’s second-most populous nation could become the next global hotspot for coronavirus infections, further damaging an already fragile economy. The S&P BSE Sensex slumped 5.6% to 28,869.51 to its lowest level since March 2017, marking a third straight session that ended ...

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• 18 March

  SNB virus fallout sees franc pushed to a five-year high

  

  Bloomberg Pressure is intensifying on the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to join policy makers around the world who’ve cut interest rates and increased stimulus in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The central bank hasn’t dropped a bombshell so far this year, despite the franc being at a five-year high against the euro. Instead, data suggest it’s relied on occasional ...

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• 18 March

  World Bank boosts coronavirus funds with $2bn from IFC

  

  Bloomberg The World Bank is boosting its coronavirus response package by $2 billion with funds from the International Finance Corporation, its lender to the private sector. The IFC’s planned funds are in addition to the $12 billion announced on March 3 by the bank, the world’s top development institution said in a statement. The assistance is aimed at supporting industry ...

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• 18 March

  Taiwan to cut rates to brake impact of virus

  

  Bloomberg The combined weight of the coronavirus and the monetary easing trend around the world could finally persuade one of Asia’s most cautious central banks to cut rates. Taiwan’s policymakers will likely lower borrowing costs in its first policy-rate move since June 2016, joining the expanding ranks of central banks seeking to shore up a receding global economy. Taipei’s monetary ...

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• 18 March

  Barclays warns it’s very unlikely to hit profit goal amid Covid-19

  

  Bloomberg Barclays Plc might struggle to reach its profitability target for the year and could cut discretionary awards as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts its business, joining a string of global lenders. “It’s going to be a tough year for earnings,” Tushar Morzaria, finance director, said on Tuesday at the Morgan Stanley European Financials Conference, held virtually this year. Barclays might ...

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• 18 March

  HSBC names caretaker Noel Quinn as permanent CEO

  

  Bloomberg HSBC Holdings Plc’s search for a new chief ended where it began: with its caretaker CEO Noel Quinn. The bank said Quinn would become its permanent boss, after seven months as interim leader. The board had struggled to secure an external candidate while trying to respond to an increasingly treacherous global economy that’s been rocked by the impact of ...

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• 18 March

  Covid-19: Iceland slashes rates to new all-time low

  Bloomberg Iceland’s central bank made a second emergency cut to its benchmark interest rate inside a week as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus rose to 247 in the tiny north Atlantic nation. The seven-day term deposits rate was reduced by 0.5 percentage points to 1.75%, its lowest level ever. Sedlabanki also reduced countercyclical capital buffer on financial institutions ...

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• 18 March

  BofA pledges $100mn to fight virus crisis

  Bloomberg Bank of America Corp. (BofA) pledged to donate $100 million to support populations hurt by the coronavirus. The funds will be distributed to various communities, as well as national and global organisations, the bank said. They’re intended to aid medical response, address food insecurity, assist educational efforts amid school closures and support vulnerable populations, according to the Charlotte, North ...

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• 18 March

  Germany to let banks tap capital buffer

  Bloomberg Germany’s financial watchdogs eliminated a key capital requirement for the country’s banks to keep credit flowing to an economy that’s approaching a standstill as the coronavirus spreads. The countercylical capital buffer, meant to strengthen banks in good times for a downturn, will be cut to 0% starting on April 1 and remain there until at least through December, the ...

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• 18 March

  Airlines need up to $200b to survive virus, says IATA

  

  Bloomberg The global airline industry needs government aid and bailout measures totalling between $150 billion and $200 billion if it’s to survive the coronavirus crisis, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Even then, the pandemic is likely to reshape the industry, with many airlines failing, others consolidating and entirely new groupings emerging, IATA Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de ...

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