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The sell-off continues for local shares on Wednesday with the ASX 200 shedding another 140 points or 2 per cent to 6726 at lunch and making it the third successive session of losses over 100 points. Global markets are tumbling on concerns of the coronavirus spreading outside of China.

The US Centre for Disease Control warned Americans to prepare for the spread of the Coronavirus in the US.

Local shares remained under pressure on Tuesday as investors grapple with the economic impact of the coronavirus. One consolation was that the ASX 200 ended off session lows after US stock futures traded higher in after-hours trade.

The Australian sharemarket has added to yesterday’s declines as fears linked to the economic impact of the coronavirus escalate.

Global sharemarkets have fallen by up to 5.5% on fears about the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 and its impact on global economic activity. US sharemarkets slumped on Monday in line with other global bourses with all 11 major S&P sectors lower.

The ASX 200 followed Asian Indices lower as investors focused on growth headwinds as a result of the Coronavirus.

Local shares are suffering the worst selloff so far in 2020 with the ASX 200 plunging 153 points or 2.1% to 6986 at lunch on Monday. The index is following a soft lead from Wall Street where the spread of the coronavirus outbreak outside of China is becoming a concern for investors. The outbreak has been a major cause of volatility for markets, just last Thursday the ASX 200 hit fresh all-time highs.

US sharemarkets fell on Friday – the fifth consecutive week that share indexes had settled lower on a Friday. Coronavirus concerns and softer US economic data weighed on indexes.

While the Australian sharemarket eased by 0.3% on Friday, the ASX 200 hit an all-time high just yesterday. Most sectors lost some ground today.

The ASX 200 down by 15pts or 0.2% to 7,149.1. Despite the losses, the local market is still up by around 7% this calendar year in spite of the coronavirus concerns.

Aussie dollar slumps as investors favour safe havens.

Investors were in a buoyant mood with the ASX 200 hitting fresh record highs. The index also managed a second successive record close. QAN shares took off despite the airline expecting to take hit of up to $150m due to the coronavirus.

Local shares rose this morning after Wall St hit record highs overnight on China stimulus hopes. Investors were also encouraged by the latest employment figures which revealed strong full time jobs growth.

US sharemarkets rose on Wednesday with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indexes hitting all-time highs on China stimulus hopes.

The Australian sharemarket rose by 0.4% on Wednesday, posting a record close in the process. Wesfarmers, Fortescue, Domino’s, Fletcher and Webjet all rose on their latest profit results.

The Aussie market has had a fairly muted start with losses for the Commonwealth Bank (CBA), which is trading ex-dividend, offsetting positive reactions for companies releasing profit results.

Here’s what you need to know for the day ahead.

The Aussie market fell for a second successive session despite gains for major banks and miners. BHP lifted on an increased first half profit and interim dividend. It wasn’t such a good day for other reporting results with losses for Coles (COL), Altium (ALU) and Cochlear (COH).

Local shares started the session in much the same way they ended a day earlier with sellers gaining the upper. In sector terms Technology names have led the declines, reflecting a 15% fall in Altium (ALU) shares.

The US sharemarket remained closed last night due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. While European stocks edged higher, the Aussie market is set for a flat start on Tuesday.

The ASX 200 managed to lift off the session lows to close 5 points or 0.07% lower at 7125 with financials the main drag. Communications & consumer discretionary stocks were the other weights on the top 200 index.

The Australian sharemarket is down by 0.31% on Monday, with losses from the big banks ending the ASX 200’s four-day winning streak.

The US sharemarket was quiet on Friday as investors squared positions ahead of a long weekend. While the Dow Jones eased by 0.1%, the broader S&P500 edged higher to near record highs despite coronavirus concerns.

The Australian sharemarket edged higher on Friday, lifting for a fourth session and finishing just shy of a fresh record high despite coronavirus worries.

Local shares held their ground in early trade on Friday, dismissing the lower finish on Wall St to be posting modest gains in early trade.

US sharemarkets were mixed as investors came to grips with a new methodology for measuring coronavirus cases.

The ASX 200 finished 15pts or 0.21% firmer to 7103.2, lifting for a third day, in what was a choppy day for the Australian sharemarket. Equities were driven most by mixed signals on the spread of the Coronavirus.

US markets have rallied with fresh all-time highs for the Dow Jones and S&P 500. The Dow is gaining over 200pts with an hour to trade. Investors are hopeful that the spread of the coronavirus in China has slowed to the lowest levels in two weeks.

The Aussie market improved for a second successive session with much of today’s gains due to the jump in CBA shares. The bank contributed nearly 20 of the 33 points made on the ASX 200 index, while Blackmores slumped nearly 13% on a negative update

The Australian sharemarket is lifting for a second day, advancing by around 0.4% at lunch. A stronger profit result from CBA is contributing most to the market’s gains.

US sharemarkets retreated from record highs on Tuesday. There was positive news on the slowing of coronavirus cases.

The ASX 200 ended Tuesday’s session with a gain of 43 points or 0.6%. Every ASX sector ended higher – although solid gains for the big banks were the foundation. Hearing implant maker Cochlear (COH) ended lower following a profit warning.

Local shares have followed global markets higher with banks providing the foundation for the day’s gains. Earnings results from Northern star (NST), Challenger (CGF) & Transurban (TCL) also helped to lift the markets.

Wall Street remains buoyant despite concerns over the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. All major US indices are higher with the tech heavy Nasdaq outperforming and hitting record highs with roughly an hour to trade.

The Australian sharemarket eased by 0.14% on Monday ahead of dozens of companies posting profit results this week. Boral fell most after warning of lower profits while JB Hi-Fi surged on record results.