Panic on markets
Nasdaq -3.34%
NYSE -2.41%
CAC 40 -5.66%
FTSE 100 -2.85%
Nikkei -2.98%
The new variant worries
A new #mutation of the #Covid19 virus was detected this Thursday in #SouthAfrica. The variant, exhibiting an extremely high number of mutations, offering a high potential for #contagion. More worryingly, these mutations affect the spike protein, targeted by #vaccines. Local authorities said they were preparing for a new wave of infection, while other nations on Friday limited exchanges with South Africa. Investors reacted violently to the news on Friday, with a massive withdrawal of the most volatile #assets (#bitcoin in the lead), #oil and the markets in general. Note, however, the rise of #Zoom and #Netflix, signalling that the possibility of total #lockdowns remains in the minds of traders.
Drama on the Channel
On November 25, 27 migrants who embarked for #England from #France drowned during the crossing. Beyond the drama of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the #Calais region, the tragedy found strong political echoes. The Franco-British relationship awaits further lows as Boris Johnson criticizes France's action in the affair. With the UK's new demands being forwarded to national newspapers, Emanuel Macron reacted firmly: “You don't communicate from one leader to another on these issues through a tweet and a letter that you make it public. We are not whistleblowers ”, before adding:“ Our ministers will work seriously to deal with this serious matter with serious people ”.
Healthy Black Friday
Americans were expected to open their wallets on #BlackFriday even after increasing their vacation spending in previous weeks, undeterred by higher prices and less generous discounts. Almost two-thirds of Black Friday shoppers in the #UnitedStates planned to go to stores rather than shopping online this year, up from 51% in 2020, before coronavirus vaccines became widely available, according to one. National Retail Federation survey. In-store sales were up 42.9% year-over-year on Friday afternoon on the U.S. east coast, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse.