* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* European stock markets open lower
* China cuts medium term rates by 20 bps
* IMF flags worst global recession since 1930s
* Oil falls on oversupply worries
By Tom Arnold
LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - Global share markets dipped
into the red on Wednesday as warnings of the worst global
recession since the 1930s underlined the economic damage done
during the coronavirus panemdic even as some countries try to
re-open for business.
China moved again to cushion its economy, cutting a key
medium-term interest rate to record lows, paving the way for a
similar reduction in benchmark loan rates, while reducing the
amount banks must hold as reserves. But despite those moves combined injecting a total of $43
billion into the financial system of the world's second largest
economy, they failed to provide a sustained boost for world
shares. MSCI's All-Country World Index .MIWD00000PUS , which
tracks shares across 49 countries, was 0.37% down.
European stock markets opened lower, with the pan-European
STOXX 600 .STOXX index opening 0.8% lower after five previous
days of gains, fuelled by early signs the health crisis was
ebbing and on hopes that sweeping lockdown measures would soon
be lifted.
French shares .FCHI fell 0.9% as France became the fourth
country to report more than 15,000 deaths due to the coronavirus
after Italy, Spain and the United States.
Much economic damage has also already been done, with the
International Monetary Fund predicting the world this year would
suffer its steepest downturn since the Great Depression of the
1930s. Ahead of a steady stream of results due in the coming weeks,
signs of corporate stress caused by the pandemic are widespread.
"A lot of good news has been priced in and we're due for
some consolidation, particularly as we head into earnings season
as we all know the numbers will not be good," Francois Savary,
chief investment officer at Swiss wealth manager Prime Partners.
PERSISTENT WORRIES
Dutch navigation and digital mapping company TomTom
TOM2.AS shed 2.7% after saying it expected negative free cash
flow this year and lower revenue from its automotive and
consumer businesses due to the pandemic. London-based asset manager Jupiter Fund Management JUP.L
dropped 5.6% after reporting an 18.3% drop in assets under
management in the first quarter as fears over the pandemic
rattled financial markets. In the United States, E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1
fell 0.5%, following a 3% rise in New York.
Even as some U.S. states considered relaxing restrictions,
the country's death toll rose by at least 2,228, a single-day
record, according to a Reuters tally. President Donald Trump responded by saying some states could
still open shortly or even immediately. He also temporarily
halted funding to the World Health Organization, saying it
should have done more to head off the pandemic. Italian bonds remained under pressure amid lingering
disappointment with the half-a-trillion euro plan to support
coronavirus-hit economies agreed by euro zone finance ministers
last week.
Italy's 2-year bond yield was last up 5 basis points to
0.89% after rising nearly 20 bps on Tuesday IT2YT=RR Ten-year
yields were flat at 1.79% IT10YT=RR . The closely watched gap with Germany's 10-year bond yield,
effectively the risk premium Italy pays investors, continued to
rise, last at nearly 220 bps DE10IT10=RR , the highest since
mid-March.
In currencies, the dollar index =USD extended gains,
rising 0.57% to 99.400.
Gold prices fell on Wednesday as investors locked in profits
after strong recent gains. It was last at $1,711 an ounce
XAU= . GOL/
In energy markets, oil prices fell amid persistent worries
about oversupply. O/R
Brent futures LCOc1 were down 51 cents, or 1.7%, giving up
earlier gains. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 slid 4
cents, or 0.2%, to $20.07.
<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
World stocks. vs. COVID-19 confirmed cases IMAGE https://reut.rs/3a948Wv
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>