Why stock markets are plummeting across the globe? Evergrande ’collapse’ explained
Indian shares slid 1% on Monday with the Nifty 50 logging its worst session since July
Global markets continued to slump as trading floors were gripped by contagion fears from the expected collapse of debt-plagued Chinese property giant Evergrande, with investors also on red alert over spiking wholesale gas costs.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 600 points, or 1.78%, whereas the Nasdaq Composite dropped 2% and the S&P 500 lost 75.26 points, or 1.7%. The selloff on Monday has seen a cumulative $2.2 trillion of value wiped off the market capitalization of world equities from a record high of $97 trillion hit on September 6, according to Refinitiv data.
A selloff in stocks continued in Asia on Tuesday amid concern about China’s crackdown on the real-estate sector and the debt crisis at developer China Evergrande Group. Treasuries and the dollar held gains. Japan slid after reopening following a holiday, while Australia and Hong Kong fluctuated.
Indian shares slid 1% on Monday and the Nifty 50 logged its worst session since July.
What's the reason behind the selloff
Global sentiment has been rattled by Evergrande, which has some $300 billion in liabilities, including debt obligations due this week—starting today—that it can’t pay. Evergrande and banks are discussing the possibility of extensions and rolling over some loans
"Contagion risks from the Evergrande meltdown are the prime cause of today's sell-off," Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson told AFP.
"It is definitely though a major cause for investor concern right now and it is possible we see further losses."
Sentiment is also being dented by strong inflation, the Federal Reserve's plans to taper monetary policy, surging infections with the Delta variant of coronavirus, and signs of weakness in the global recovery.
What is Evergrande
Founded in Guangzhou in 1996, Evergrande, one of China's biggest developers, is on the brink of collapse as it wallows in debts of more than $300 billion.
The once-mighty Evergrande Group has long been the face of Chinese real estate, surfing a decades-long property boom to expand into more than 280 Chinese cities as it peddled home-ownership dreams.
But it is now smothered by a $300 billion liabilities burden that has crushed its credit rating, share prices and reputation among a once-adoring public.
Protests against Evergrande
Throughout last week, the concourse outside Evergrande's mirrored offices in the southeastern city of Shenzhen was occupied by unpaid contractors, angry sales agents and investors -- scenes echoed across a country where prolonged protest is rarely tolerated.
Now, as default appears all but inevitable, fears are abounding of a contagion within the Chinese property market -- and far beyond.
To prevent Evergrande from going under
The company employs around 200,000 people and generates more than 3.8 million jobs each year.
Despite the growing crisis, the Chinese government has yet to step in to prevent Evergrande from going under.
Chinese policy makers may be able to avoid a financial crisis, but the Evergrande ordeal could still inflict lasting damage to credit conditions and the economy, Societe Generale SA analysts wrote in a note on Monday.
“The repercussions from Evergrande’s prospective collapse will likely contribute to China’s ongoing economic deceleration, which in turn anchors global growth and inflation, and casts a pall over commodity prices,” wrote analysts led by Phoenix Kalen, head of emerging-market strategy in London.
(With inputs from agencies)
Catch all the Business News , Market News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
- Top Gainers
- Top Losers
- 52 Week High