High hopes for recovery from virus

Apple, one of the biggest casualties of this epidemic, jolted markets when it warned of not meeting its revenue forecast, as demand for smartphones may be slashed by half in China in the first quarter.

HOPES are running high that the earnings and operations of virus-hit companies can gradually recover, on some decline, seen on certain days, in the number of new cases in China.

Despite some data mistrust on the twice-changed virus counting method, some factories are targeting to resume full operations by the end of the month.