Stock markets and sterling take heavy hit over Covid-19 and Brexit fears

The London Stock Exchange key indexes and the pound both fell as travel restrictions spooked investors whilst Brexit remains unresolved.

Lorries parked on the M20 near Folkestone

Traders reacted with concern over the latest restrictions announced by the Government on Saturday and the increased fears of a no-deal Brexit.

The FTSE 100 blue chip index was down by 2% at midday.

Companies including British Airways owner IAG and engine maker Rolls-Royce took heavy hits, although online favourites Ocado and Just Eat Takeaway saw their shares rise.

The FTSE 250, which is generally made up of UK-focused businesses, took a heavier fall and was down 2.58%. French and German counterparts also saw falls on their respective stock markets.

Sterling fell heavily against the dollar and euro, down 1.67% and 0.92% respectively. A pound was worth 1.328 dollars and 1.091 euros.

British Airways planes — British Airways owner IAG was one of the firms to see shares fall (Tim Ockenden/PA)

Companies being hit hardest were those most impacted by the new Tier 4 restrictions – which have seen European countries stopping travel to the UK – include airlines and travel firms such as easyJet, FirstGroup, National Express, Tui, Trainline and cruise ship operator Carnival.

British Airways owner IAG and easyJet were hit hardest, with shares down 9% and 9.5% respectively.

Pubs and leisure groups took a dent, with Mitchells & Butlers, Wetherspoon and Cineworld down 5.5%, 3.6% and 5.5% respectively.

Retailers also felt the pinch from the new restrictions in London and the South East, where non-essential stores have been told to close their doors, with Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group down 10%, Dixons Carphone down 6.6% and WH Smith down 5.2%.

But online players saw boosts in share prices, with online supermarket Ocado and Just Eat Takeaway seeing shares rise 5.1% and 2.3% respectively.

Neil Wilson, financial analyst at Markets.com, said: “It’s been a very rough start to the Christmas week for the pound, as the lack of a Brexit deal and the closure of key freight routes to Europe knocked sentiment.

“Brexit talks continue today but key sticking points remain, whilst several European countries have blocked travel from the UK due to a mutant strain of the coronavirus rife in the south-east of England.”

He warned that the pound could see a “severe downside shock if there is no deal by Christmas”.