Japan's Nikkei dropped 2.7% and Shanghai blue chips 1.8%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 0.7%, though that was up from early lows. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 also recouped early losses to edge up 0.3%, perhaps thanks to month-end demand. EUROSTOXXX 50 futures firmed 0.5% and FTSE futures went flat.
SYDNEY: Asian shares slipped on Monday and oil prices took another tumble as fears mounted that the global shutdown for the coronavirus could last for months, doing untold harm to economies despite central banks' best efforts.
"We continue to mark down 1H20 global GDP forecasts as our assessment of both the global pandemic's reach and the damage related to necessary containment policies has increased," said JPMorgan economist Bruce Kasman.
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