Unrest in China rattles markets
Beijing’s strict zero-Covid policy is triggering demonstrations in China and worrying investors on this side of the world. Though relatively low compared to other countries, China’s Covid cases are rising (unsurprising given the colder weather) and prompting that authoritarian government to impose lockdowns while ignoring effective Western vaccines. The unrest could derail China’s economic recovery and that prospect is dampening markets here, despite robust Black Friday sales. The major American indices sank 1.5% Monday, with the S&P slipping below 4,000.
Among the major movers were Apple, suffering delivery delays of its iPhone because of China, down 2.59% for the session. Ford sank 2.38%, NXP Semis declined nearly 5% and Disney lost 3.22%. There was some good news from Asia, though. Macau renewed licenses, which boosted casino stocks like Wynn Resorts, by 4.36%. The U.S. 10-year yield sank to 3.68% while Bitcoin lost 2% to trade around $16,200.
China’s problems and weakness in oil pulled down the TSX by 0.82%. Sectors were mixed, more down than up, particularly real estate, materials, energy and financials as banks are set to release earnings. The insurers pulled back, such as Great-West Life by 1.37% and Manulife down 1.71%. Suncor slipped 2.49%, but Bombardier jumped nearly 7% and Shopify rallied 4.39% on good holiday sales over the weekend. WTI declined 0.5% below $77 a barrel.
🍎 Apple (AAPL-Q) -2.59%
🚘 Ford Motor (F-N) -2.38%
🧬 NXP Semiconductors (NXPI-Q) -5%
👸 Walt Disney Co. (DIS-N) -3.22%
♠ Wynne Resorts Ltd. (WYNN-Q) +4.36%
🅱 Bitcoin (BTCUSD) (CRYPTO:BTC) -2%
👨⚕️ Great West Lifeco (GWO-T) -1.37%
🏛 Manulife Financial (MFC-T) -1.71%
🛢 Suncor Energy Inc (SU-T) -2.49%
🚂 Bombardier Inc (B) (BBD.B-T) +7%
🛍 Shopify Inc. (SHOP-T) +4.39%
