Summary:  

The ‘Coronavirus Crash’ was the sudden global stock market crash that occurred on 20 February 2020, following the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Stock market performance post the crash exhibits a K-shaped recovery. Based on benchmark equity index closing price data from Wall Street Journal Markets, this week’s chart depicts the disparities in stock market recoveries of selected Asian economies. 

Highlights: 

• China and Korea have outperformed the other countries and recovered to pre-pandemic values as early as June 2020. Large fiscal responses and effective management of the pandemic in these countries reassured the investors and paved the way for a strong stock market recovery. 
• Although rate of recovery was slow, Japan reached pre pandemic levels in September 2020 and has not been growing since.  
• Malaysia made the strongest “bounce back” when compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors. This is because its index has a greater number of technology stocks listed. Technology stocks are driving market recovery elsewhere in the world.  
• Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines are witnessing staggered recoveries and have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. Over 50% of Singapore’s benchmark equity index is derived from banking and telecommunication companies that are in a state of maturity. The lack of high growth technology and internet companies in the index is slowing the pace of Singapore’s recovery.  
• Philippines and Indonesia were the worst hit following the coronavirus crash. They faced the most prolonged lockdowns as Covid-19 cases continued to rise.  

Article By Ammu GEORGE

Graphic By Shu En LEE