Wuhan virus contagion pummels Asian markets

Singapore

ASIAN equity markets returning from the Chinese New Year (CNY) break joined others in a sea of red as fears mounted over the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus - jolting memories of 2003's Sars outbreak in Asia and weighing on the region's risk assets.

On Tuesday, Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) fell by as much as 2.9 per cent to close 58.77 points or 1.8 per cent lower at 3,181.25, below the blue chip's support level of 3,200.

Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific, Australia's ASX 200 was down 96.00 points or 1.4 per c…