European stock markets -- including those in London, Frankfurt, Paris and Milan -- plunged March 9 amid mounting concerns over the coronavirus epidemic. A slew of new coronavirus cases across the Continent, along with the recent drop in global oil prices following OPEC's failure to agree on a unified response to the expected drop in oil demand, has further shaken investor confidence in EU economies.
As the number of coronavirus infections across the European Union continues to rise, companies and investors fear that the impact on the bloc's economies will be more severe than initially anticipated. By limiting domestic economic activity, Italy's more drastic efforts to contain the contagion risk taking a significant toll on the country's already slowing economy. ...