The fresh spike in virus infections across Europe has forced several countries to reimpose containment measures, such as the Netherlands where bars and restaurants are being shut for at least two weeks. ©ANP/AFP Remko de Waal

London (AFP) – Global markets stock markets were uninspired Wednesday on fading US stimulus hopes, stubborn coronavirus worries and growing uncertainty over Britain’s post-Brexit trade with the European Union, dealers said.

“Politicians in the United States do not appear to be close to striking a deal with respect to the Covid-19 relief package,” observed CMC Markets analyst David Madden.

“A couple of potential vaccines for the coronavirus have encountered setbacks, and to top it all off, uncertainty still persists in relation to the future relationship between the UK and the EU.”

Sterling recovered a little ground against the dollar after faltering, as a deadline set by the British to reach a post-Brexit trade deal approaches on Thursday with no sign of a breakthrough in talks amid UK media reports the deadline will have to be stretched into Brexit ‘injury time’.

Noting new virus restrictions in Europe and beyond, ThinkMarkets analyst Fawad Razaqzada cautioned that “at this rate, there is a good chance economic recovery will stall in Europe and investors are evidently responding by reducing their exposure on the euro and European stock.”

After a cautious start Wall Street saw the Dow slide 0.6 percent while the tech heavy Nasdaq was off 0.8 percent.

London and Paris also sagged while Frankfurt closed just 0.1 percent ahead after Tuesday had brought falls all round on the back of the worsening coronavirus crisis.

Virus concerns have returned to the fore amid a surge in new infections and the halting of two trials denting hopes for a vaccine or treatment being developed anytime soon.

Fears for the economic recovery have mounted in recent weeks because of the Covid-19 resurgence, particularly in Europe where governments are resorting to new controls while trying to avoid the devastating nationwide lockdowns of March and April.

The Netherlands is set to go into “partial lockdown” later Wednesday, with all bars, cafes and restaurants to close for at least two weeks, while France is expected to announce tighter restrictions.

– Online coronavirus shopping boom –

In London, there was strong evidence of key internet-focused businesses benefiting from virus lockdowns.

Anglo-Dutch online food delivery service Just Eat Takeaway revealed orders rocketed 46 percent in the third quarter, compared with a year earlier.

The company, which competes with Deliveroo and Uber Eats, saw its share price jump 5.25 percent to 9,306 pence.

Online fashion retailer ASOS said pre-tax profits more than quadrupled to £142.1 million ($185 million, 157 million euros) in its financial year to the end of August, and sales soared by a fifth.

– Key figures around 1550 GMT –

New York – Dow Jones: DOWN 0.6 percent at 28,527.58 points

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.6 percent at 5,935.06 (close)

Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 0.1 percent at 13,028.06 (close)

Paris – CAC 40: DOWN 0.1 percent at 4,941.66 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: FLAT at 3,277.94

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 23,626.73 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: UP 0.1 percent at 24,667.09 (close)

Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.6 percent at 3,340.78 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1760 from $1.1746 at 2100 GMT

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3023 from $1.2937

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 105.09 yen from 105.48 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 90.25 pence from 90.79 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.9 percent at $40.99 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP 1.2 percent at $42.96

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.