Coronavirus: A 'true black swan in the making' or a 'tactical opportunity'?

Counting the potential cost of the outbreak

clock • 6 min read

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to cause worldwide trepidation, the investment market is beginning to weigh up the short and long-term impact of the virus, with many asking - what should investors do next?

With the number of confirmed cases in the thousands and the death toll reaching more than 200, the first reaction may be one of sheer panic. The Wuhan coronavirus: Potential US stockmarket impacts However, Alastair George, chief investment strategist at the Edison Group, believes investors need to focus on the economic costs of controlling the outbreak, rather than fearing mass panic. "There is insufficient data on this viral outbreak to suggest a radically bearish change to our cautious view at this time. "However, investors should now apply a discount to sectors where the econ...

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