Stocks are getting rocked in pre-market trading
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) futures are pointing to a massive pullback in stocks this morning, as the blue-chip index eyes a nearly 800-point sell-off at the open. The tech sector is set to get hit the hardest due to fresh coronavirus headwinds, with the number of cases growing substantially around the globe. This is setting up equities for one of the worst days in months, while gold prices are soaring amid the risk-off atmosphere.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
Short sellers have their eye on Fitbit. Bulls bet on this hot cloud stock. Plus, beverage stock upgraded; coronavirus stocks rise; and a gold name eyeing fresh highs.
Asian markets plummeted on Monday as coronavirus anxieties worsened. Specifically, South Korea lifted its alert on the virus to its "highest level," after cases grew rapidly over the weekend. In response, the Kospi fell 3.9%. Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Composite dropped 0.3%, dampened by a struggling airline sector, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.8%. The Nikkei in Japan was closed for holiday.
The spread of the coronavirus in northern Italy has led to cancelled events and quarantine, devastating European markets at midday. The French CAC 40 and the Frankfurt DAX have both given up 3.7%, while the London FTSE 100 is down 3.3%.