JPMAM's Ward: 'Enormous ramifications' if China does not get 'back to work'

Amid coronavirus outbreak

If China fails to get "back to work" and is unable to cushion the impact of the coronavirus by April the "global ramifications will be enormous", according to Karen Ward, chief market strategist for EMEA at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Speaking at Investment Week's Funds to Watch conference on Friday (28 February), Ward explained that investors must keep an eye on figures tracking Chinese coal consumption and labour migration as key indicators of the growing impact on the country's economy. OECD: 'Governments must act now' on 'severe' coronavirus impact Both migration and coal consumption tend to flatline during the Chinese New Year celebrations, before spiking as people return to work, Ward said. However, the coronavirus has led to strict quarantine and movement restrictions being put in place, preventing both meas...