Asian shares mixed as pandemic saps buying momentum

TOKYO (AP): Shares were mixed in Asia on Wednesday (July 8) as uncertainty over the pandemic sapped the buying enthusiasm that has been driving prices higher.

The selling followed a deeper pullback on Wall Street and in France, Germany and elsewhere after the European Union’s executive arm said this year’s recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be deeper than forecast. It also said next year’s expected rebound could be weaker than expected.