Covid fear in global markets

The US and Italy have announced some measures for those coming from China due to the increasing coronavirus cases. Goldman CEO announced layoffs next month. Hedge funds are preparing to close 2022 at a loss. The increase in coronavirus cases in China and the measures announced by some countries in response to this are causing the markets to lose risk appetite in the last trading days of the year. Following the 1% losses experienced by Wall Street indices on Wednesday, which took the S&P 500 to its lowest level in more than a month, US futures are flat on the new trading day. The pending home sales data released in the US on Wednesday recorded its 6th consecutive monthly decline in November and was at its second weakest level to date. European futures and Asian indices are on a negative trend. Trading volumes are quite low. Australian and New Zealand 10-year bond yields rose. The US 10-year bond yield is flat this morning after rising 4 basis points yesterday. The Japanese yen gained value as the Bank of Japan made another unplanned bond purchase. The Bloomberg Dollar Index, which rose 0.26 percent on Wednesday, gave back some of its gains this morning.