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* FTSE 100 down 1.5%, FTSE 250 down 1.1%
* Airlines, travel stocks among worst performers
* Finablr shines on the midcap index
Jan 27 (Reuters) - UK shares slumped on Monday as the
coronavirus spread globally and caused more fear with death
tolls more than tripling from last week, while midcap
constituent payments group Finablr outperformed.
The FTSE 100 index .FTSE , which had recovered on Friday
after the World Health Organisation issued a measured assessment
of the virus, stumbled 1.5% by 0808 GMT, set for its worst daily
performance since early December.
The midcaps were 1.1% lower, but Finablr helped contain some
losses as it jumped 9% after reassuring markets that it had
sought clarifications from BRS, an investment vehicle owned by
Shetty that pledged over half the company's stock as security
against certain debts.
News that China's death toll from the coronavirus discovered
at the end of last year has risen to 80 spooked investors and
dragged an index of leisure and airline stocks .FTNMX5750 down
nearly 2%. The sector is exposed to a slowdown in the travel
market because of the outbreak.
Some stock losers include British Airways owner IAG
ICAG.L , which dropped 5%, and China-exposed luxury brand
Burberry BRBY.L , down 4.8%.