Shares fall as new Covid strain spooks investors

Shares in London dropped and the pound lost ground after several EU countries closed their borders to the UK, which has reported a new variant of coronavirus.

London's FTSE 100 index fell as much as 3%, before recovering slightly and ending 1.7% lower, as travel firms and others saw big declines.

The main German market fell 2.8%, while in France the key bourse dropped 2.4%.

US markets were more mixed, amid relief over progress on a virus aid package.

After falling in opening trade, the Dow ended the day up 0.1%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%. The Nasdaq fell 0.1%.

Earlier, the pound fell more than 1% against the euro and dropped 1.6% against the dollar.

Travel curbs hit airline stocks, with British Airways' owner IAG sinking nearly 8% and EasyJet tumbling 7.2%. Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce was also badly hit, falling more than 3%.

The rout was replicated on other European markets. Air France-KLM shares dropped 4%, while planemaker Airbus was down roughly 3%.

"Investors' rosy expectations for 2021 have suddenly vanished," said Kazuhiko Saito, chief analyst at commodities broker Fujitomi Co.

As well as renewed concern about Covid-19 cases, UK investors were reacting to another missed deadline in trade talks with the EU.

London and Brussels are trying to reach a trade deal before the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.

The talks are set to continue on Monday between negotiators.

The stalled negotiations have been partly responsible for the pound fluctuating over recent weeks. Optimism that a deal would be struck had triggered a four-day winning streak for sterling, pushing it back up to just under $1.36 before it reversed course again.

Earlier on Monday, the pound fell towards $1.32, with the dollar also being buoyed after a $900bn (£660bn) plan to help the US economy weather the coronavirus pandemic was agreed.

However, the pound later regained some of those losses, rising above $1.33.

"The US got its stimulus package through, but it seems that was largely priced in and investors are more concerned with the new strain of Covid-19," said Craig Erlam, analyst at Oanda trading group.

European nations have begun to impose travel bans on the UK after it reported a more-infectious and "out of control" coronavirus variant over the weekend.

Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are all halting flights.

On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced a new tier four level of restrictions for London and South East England.

"The lockdown news and the stalemate on Brexit is keeping the market nervous," National Australia Bank's senior currency strategist Rodrigo Catril told Reuters.

The prime minister will chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee later after France closed its border with the UK for 48 hours.

One major sticking point in the Brexit talks is access to the UK's water for fishing. While the fishing industry accounts for just 0.1% of gross domestic product, (GDP) it is of high political significance.

If a trade agreement is not reached by the end of the month, British firms will revert to trading with the EU under rules established by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This will mean imports and exports to the EU would be subject to WTO-negotiated tariffs, essentially a tax on goods.

Currency experts have warned that the pound could fall to $1.25 by the middle of next year if no trade agreement is agreed.