China virus: Is there an opportunity for investors?

THE sad and terrifying news reports about the rising number of people who have been killed or sickened by the mysterious virus from China are beginning to exact a toll on global stock markets. Markets enjoyed a reprieve on Wednesday, but if the sell-off returns in the days ahead, many investors may well want to take measures to protect their stock portfolios, or begin hunting for bargains.

On the face of it, the Sars outbreak in 2003 seems a sensible place to start looking for context and insight on what to do. Certainly, it offers a window to how the new virus from China might affect economic activity at a micro level. For instance, much like 2003, people are likely to become wary of being in close proximity with other people for fear of being infected by the virus. T…