Infographic: Asian Stock Markets Ailing From Coronavirus Outbreak

Stock markets in Asia, some of which only reopened Wednesday after a prolonged Lunar new year hiatus, have suffered a great deal from the coronavirus outbreak in China. As of Wednesday, the respiratory disease which killed more than 130 people had spread to 18 countries and territories.

The Hong Kong Hang Seng index closed Wednesday on its first day of trading in the new lunar year 4.8 percent lower than on Jan 2, the first trading day of 2020. The Shanghai Composite is not yet trading again but closed for the holidays on Jan 23 already 3.5 percent lower than on Jan 2. It was expected to reopen Friday but will stay shut until Feb 3 after an announcement from Chinese authorities.

In Japan and South Korea, where cases of the coronavirus have also been confirmed, stock markets dipped but seem to be recovering. The Nikkei which traded continuously during the Lunar new year is almost back to early January levels. The market started 2020 trading late due to market holidays. The Korean Kospi Index reopened on Tuesday and has also lost all 2020 gains so far. On Wednesday, prices were recovering slightly.