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March 18 (Reuters) - European stock index futures fell more
than 5% on Wednesday as fears over the relentless global spread
of the coronavirus overshadowed sweeping U.S. stimulus measures
to support businesses and contain the economic damage from the
pandemic.
Euro Stoxx 50 futures STXEc1 were down 4.6% at levels last
seen in 2012, and falling for the ninth time in 10 days.
German DAX futures FDXc1 tumbled 4.5%, while French CAC
futures FCEc1 and London's FTSE 100 futures FFIc1 were off
4.5% and 4.6%, respectively.
European investor sentiment has been crushed over the past
month as some countries in the bloc imposed national lockdowns
to halt the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel
coronavirus.
Italy's prime minister on Tuesday declared the virus was
causing a "socio-economic tsunami" as European leaders agreed to
seal off external borders. S&P 500 e-minis EScv1 fell 3.69% to hit their daily down
trading limit.