US markets end sharply lower on concerns about second wave of coronavirus

12 Jun 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended sharply lower on Thursday on concerns about a second wave of coronavirus cases, as recent data has led to worries about economic reopening leading to a spike in infections. The number of US coronavirus infections passed the two million mark and over 112,000 Americans have died. Despite fewer cases being recorded in some cities and states, the seven-day average of new cases over the past two weeks is still rising in more than 20 states, leading investors to worry about a second wave of the epidemic just as business activity is resuming. The global case tally for the coronavirus climbed to 7.39 million on Thursday. The death toll rose to 417,022. Besides, Substantial weakness was visible among steel stocks, as reflected by the 9.6 percent nosedive by the NYSE Arca Steel Index. The index continued to give back ground after ending Monday's trading at a three-month closing high.

On the economic data front, the Labor Department released a report showing a continued decrease in first-time claims for US unemployment benefits in the week ended June 6th. The report said initial jobless claims tumbled to 1.542 million, a decrease of 355,000 from the previous week's revised level of 1.897 million. Street had expected jobless claims to slump to 1.550 million from the 1.877 million originally reported for the previous week. Meanwhile, a report released by the Labor Department showed a much bigger than expected increase in US producer prices in the month of May. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand climbed by 0.4 percent in May after tumbling by 1.3 percent in April. Street had expected the index to inch up by just 0.1 percent.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,861.82 points or 6.9 percent to 25,128.17, Nasdaq dropped 527.62 points or 5.27 percent 9,492.73 and S&P 500 was down by 188.04 points or 5.89 percent to 3,002.1. 

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