European stock markets slide at open, London down 1.6%

16:19, April 24, 2020

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  European stocks jump at open on virus treatment hope

  File photo: CGTNEuropes major equity indices rallied at the open on Thursday, as global investor sentiment was boosted by news of a possible breakthrough in testing for a coronavirus treatment.Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index advanced 0.6 percent to 6,149.95 points, Frankfurts DAX won 1.1 percent 11,228.98 and the Paris CAC 40 added 1.0 percent to 4,717.08, compared with the closing levels on Wednesday.

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  European stocks fall at open on sub-zero oil

  European stocks opened down Tuesday after US oil prices ducked below zero overnight for the first time, as coronavirus wipes out global crude demand and sparks a vast supply glut.Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies dived 1.4 percent to 5,728.99 points, Frankfurts DAX erased 1.7 percent to 10,487.41 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 1.4 percent to 4,463.56 compared with Mondays closing levels.

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  European stocks open lower on sub-zero oil

  European stocks opened down Tuesday after US oil prices ducked below zero overnight for the first time as the coronavirus crisis wipes out global crude demand and sparks a vast supply glut.A screen displays the CAC 40 amongst stock tickers displayed at the headquarters of the Pan-European stock exchange Euronext, in La Defense district, near Paris, on March 9, 2020. (File photo: AFP)Londons benchmark FTSE 100 index of major blue-chip companies dived 1.4 percent to 5,728.99 points, Frankfurts DAX erased 1.7 percent to 10,487.41 points and the Paris CAC 40 shed 1.4 percent to 4,463.56 compared with Mondays closing levels.At the same time, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery rebounded above zero on Tuesday, changing hands at $1.67 a barrel after closing at -$37.63 in New York.The massive sell-off also came ahead of the expiry of the May futures contract later Tuesday."Ever thought that it could be imaginable to see the price of US oil valued at less than a pizza? Or even a slice of pizza? How about for it to actually cost to sell US crude?" said Jameel Ahmad, global head of currency strategy and market research at trading firm FXTM."All of this was previously thought to be unthinkable -- but it became very real for traders as the price of US oil turned negative for the first time in history."