European hedge funds struggled to navigate the coronavirus-induced extreme market volatility during March, with many down by double-digits in the space of a few weeks as short-selling bans hampered their strategies.

Just one of the world's biggest multi-strategy funds available to retail investors is in the black for the year after coronavirus panic saw markets fall across the board, data from Morningstar showed.

Private equity groups are beefing up warchests and hiring investment professionals to tap an expected buyout boom in China following the coronavirus outbreak and as founders in some traditional businesses execute succession plans.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, named a London-based hedge fund manager as its new chief executive on Thursday and said it had lost $124 billion (104 billion pounds) this year as stock markets tanked due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The use of virtual annual meetings by companies during the coronavirus epidemic must not become the norm once restrictions on people's movements are lifted, responsible investment campaign group ShareAction said on Thursday.

British financial regulators announced a welter of measures on Thursday to give companies more time to publish results and banks more leeway for handling troubled loans.

The oil industry has been hit by a simultaneous demand and supply shock in March as the coronavirus pandemic cuts fuel consumption and top producer Saudi Arabia raises output to full capacity to fight a price war with rivals.

The havoc wrought by the coronavirus crisis could give investors leverage to put new limits on CEO pay packages and link them more closely to a range of social and environmental issues at companies' annual meetings this spring.

The world's biggest oil and gas firms should break an industry taboo and consider cutting dividends, rather than taking on any more debt to maintain payouts as they weather the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, investors say.

Veteran investor Bill Ackman said he has taken off credit market hedges and reinvested the money into new and existing stock holdings after turning "increasingly positive" on stock and credit markets.

Britain's EasyJet has grounded its fleet of 344 planes and has no clear idea when it might resume flights, the company said on Monday, in another sign of the strain on airlines battling to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

The European Union expects Britain to seek an extension of its status quo post-Brexit transition period beyond the end of the year, diplomats and officials said on Monday, as negotiations on trade have ground to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Oil took another stomach-churning 8% dive on Monday and world shares buckled again as fears mounted that the global coronavirus shutdown could last for months.

Billie Eilish sang on her sofa, Elton John played a keyboard belonging to his children, and the Backstreet Boys sang in harmony from five locations as dozens of musicians put on a fundraiser for the warriors against a coronavirus.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been able to do everything required to coordinate the government's response to coronavirus after he tested positive for the virus last week, his spokesman said on Monday.

Britain has ordered 10,000 ventilators from a consortium of leading aerospace, engineering and Formula One racing companies which will start production this week in response to an urgent government call for industry to help save lives.

British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, who had tested positive for coronavirus, is out of self-isolation after seven days and is in good health, his spokesman said on Monday.

China reported a drop in new coronavirus infections for a fourth day as drastic curbs on international travellers reined in the number of imported cases, while policymakers turned their efforts to healing the world's second-largest economy.

Hollstadt Consulting CEO Molly Jungbauer has had to let go 30 of the 150 employees at her St. Paul, Minnesota firm to weather the drop in revenue from travel industry clients because of the coronavirus.

Britain currently has about 8,000 ventilators with another 8,000 on order to come into the health system in a week or so, junior health minister Edward Argar said on Thursday.

One in five people in Britain fear an economic depression because of the impact of coronavirus and a further 52% expect the country's economy to be in recession within a year, a poll by YouGov showed on Monday.

The number of approvals for mortgages in Britain hit a six-year high in February, before the spread of the coronavirus hammered the economy, Bank of England data showed on Monday.

Britain will ramp up its bid to slow a surge in unemployment during the coronavirus crisis by pledging public money to cover national insurance and pension contributions for companies that temporarily ask employees not to work, as well their pay.

Britain's finance ministry said its plan to cover employers' national insurance and some pension scheme contributions - part of the government's bid to prevent a wave of job losses - could save companies an extra 300 pounds a month for each employee.

The British government will pay grants to self-employed people who have lost their livelihoods because of the coronavirus lockdown, further extending an unprecedented package of measures to prevent the economy from collapsing.

The UK government has urged people to avoid moving house during the coronavirus outbreak, as the pandemic brings the country's property market to a near standstill.

Another 115 people have died in the United Kingdom after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to 578, the government said on Thursday.

Some lockdown measures which restrict the social interactions of Britons could be in place for six months, but the steps are bearing fruit in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Britain's deputy chief medical officer said on Thursday.

British finance minister Rishi Sunak announced a system of grants to support self-employed people who are losing income because of the coronavirus.

The Bank of England held off from taking fresh action to stop the coronavirus crisis from plunging Britain's economy into a long recession on Thursday, but said it was ready to ramp up its bond-buying programme further if needed.

The president of the United Arab Emirates has approved a law organising strategic stocks of food commodities in emergencies, the state news agency WAM said on Monday, amidst rising global fears for food supplies due to the coronavirus pandemic.

North Korea said on Monday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo undermined its willingness to restart stalled denuclearisation talks, criticising his recent remarks on sanctions on Pyongyang.

China ramped up efforts on Monday to heal the world's second-biggest economy as health authorities reported a further drop in new coronavirus cases, although the country remains wary of carriers of the disease coming from abroad and infected people who exhibit no symptoms.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Monday ordered the suspension to public transport services to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which is known to have infected 203 people in the country.

Air pollution has decreased in urban areas across Europe during lockdowns to combat the coronavirus, new satellite images showed on Monday, but campaigners warned city-dwellers were still more vulnerable to the epidemic.

Tokyo officials said a drop in daily cases of coronavirus on Monday was not a cause for optimism, as they called on citizens to refrain from outdoor activities, especially gatherings at bars, night clubs and karaokes, through April 12.

Turkey has placed 39 residential areas in 18 cities under quarantine as of Monday to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed 131 people in the country.

Manolis Glezos, a prominent Greek whose act of defiance against Nazi occupation during World War Two was a rallying cry for the country's resistance movement, died on Monday, authorities said. He was 97.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose to 11,750 on Monday from a day earlier, with 884 new cases and 93 new deaths, health authorities said.

A prominent bishop in the Serbian Orthodox Church died from a coronavirus infection less than a week after being hospitalised, his diocese said on Monday.

China's Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd said on Monday 2020 may be one of its toughest years yet, as pressure stemming from the coronavirus outbreak on production and sales persists.

Chinese automaker BAIC Group and ride-hailing service provider Didi Chuxing plan to team up with other industry players to lease BAIC's cars to customers amid concerns about ride hailing and vehicle sharing eating into car sales.

Britain's big telecoms providers have agreed to remove all data caps on fixed-line broadband services that have become a lifeline for people isolated at home during the coronavirus crisis, the government said on Sunday.

Amazon.com Inc is offering higher pay to recruit its own warehouse employees to pick and pack Whole Foods groceries amid rising demand and a worker shortage, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters.

Microsoft Corp on Friday said it would sell its stake in AnyVision, an Israeli facial recognition startup, and said it no longer would make minority investments in companies that sell the controversial technology.

As China reopens its economy after months of lockdown, Apple Inc's iPhone factories are largely up and running. But with the coronavirus pandemic spreading across the world, the urgent question for the company is how many buyers there will be both for current models and the new slate of phones expected in the fall.

Alphabet Inc will donate more than $800 million in funds towards producing medical supplies used to fight COVID-19, and in ad credits to government and health organizations and businesses, Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said on Friday.

Some lower-paid U.S. workers could effectively get a short-term raise if they lose their jobs during the coronavirus crisis, thanks to government computer systems that rely on 1950s-era technology.

Apple Inc and the White House said on Friday that the iPhone maker worked with the Trump administration and federal agencies to release an app and website that will direct users to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Senior officials in the Trump administration agreed to new measures to restrict the global supply of chips to China's Huawei Technologies, sources familiar with the matter said, as the White House ramps up criticism of China over coronavirus.

Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who had been hospitalised after being infected with the new coronavirus, has died, becoming the first Japanese celebrity to die of the virus.

Billie Eilish sang on her sofa, Elton John played a keyboard belonging to his children, and the Backstreet Boys sang in harmony from five locations as dozens of musicians put on a fundraiser for the warriors against a coronavirus.

Poland's Krzysztof Penderecki, one of the world's most celebrated composers, died on Sunday at the age of 86, his family said.

Brazilian rapper MV Bill added his voice to a chorus of criticism of President Jair Bolsonaro for downplaying the gravity of the new coronavirus epidemic in a video clip that urges people to protect themselves.

Organisers have cancelled the men's and haute couture fashion weeks in Paris because of the coronavirus outbreak, organisers said.

An opera singer in Paris is giving daily concerts from his balcony window to lift his neighbours' spirits during the nationwide lockdown enforced to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson returned to Los Angeles on Friday after spending more than two weeks in quarantine in Australia after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theatre has begun streaming some of its most notable past performances online after being forced to shut its doors to the public as a result of tough new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

The stars of the movie "Contagion," which has seen a surge in popularity as the coronavirus has spread across the globe, on Friday urged fans to listen to experts, wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing.

Chilean musician Gonzalo Acuna knew a hug was out of the question as coronavirus fears forced his elderly parents into self-isolation. So he turned instead to his accordion.

Paris St Germain forward Neymar has denied flouting social distancing rules following his return to his native Brazil after posting pictures on Instagram which showed him sun-bathing and playing foot-volleyball with a group of friends.

Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Monday that the Tokyo Olympic Games would start on July 23, 2021, and run until Aug. 8, Kyodo news reported.

Japanese organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided on Monday that the Tokyo Olympic Games would start on July 23, 2021 and run until Aug. 8, Kyodo news reported.

Japan defender Gotoku Sakai has tested positive for coronavirus, his club Vissel Kobe confirmed on Monday, becoming the first J.League player to be named as having the virus.

Triathlon world champion Katie Zaferes has been unable to keep on top of her swimming while she is on an enforced break due to the coronavirus pandemic but she is confident that come 2021, competing at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics will be more meaningful.

Eliud Kipchoge, the world's greatest marathon man, reckoned his first reaction was shock when he heard at home in Kenya that the 2020 Olympic Games had been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics must acknowledge the coronavirus crisis which forced their postponement and incorporate it into next year's opening ceremony, executive producer Marco Balich said.

A top official from the Tokyo Olympics organising committee on Monday said that a decision on the status of tickets purchased for the 2020 Games was still being considered, and acknowledged that the additional costs to delay the Games remained unclear.

The head of Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI) believes that the Tokyo Games, postponed by a year because of a coronavirus pandemic, will start on July 23, 2021, he said in a television interview.

Italy's Serie A league has hit back at the country's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora after he said the country's top clubs were living in a bubble and criticised the millionaire salaries of some players.

England's cricket players must "realise the bigger picture" and will be expected to take a pay cut as the country's cricket governing body (ECB) tries to deal with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/joe-root-and-ben-stokes-face-200-000-pay-cuts-fxt8q6z0m reported on Sunday.

SOCCER - Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel makes a trademark flying save as the hosts clinched a 1-0 victory over rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

India's cricket board (BCCI) announced on Saturday that it will contribute 510 million rupees ($6.81 million) to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

The pause in cricket due to the coronavirus pandemic will allow India's jaded players to recharge their batteries, according to head coach Ravi Shastri.

RUGBY SEVENS - New Zealand's Jonah Lomu evades several attempted tackles from Sri Lankan defenders during his side's 75-0 victory at the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens.

RUGBY SEVENS - New Zealand's Jonah Lomu evades several attempted tackles from Sri Lankan defenders during his side's 75-0 victory at the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens.

As Australians embarked on the unprecedented novelty of a weekend without sport on Saturday, negotiations continued between professional leagues and players over wage cuts to ensure they survive the coronavirus shutdown.

As Australians embarked on the unprecedented novelty of a weekend without sport on Saturday, negotiations continued between professional leagues and players over wage cuts to ensure they survive the coronavirus shutdown.

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has contributed 5 million rupees ($67,000) to India's fight against the coronavirus outbreak, a source close to the former cricketer has confirmed.

BOXING – Briton Lennox Lewis lands a punch on Shannon Briggs en route a fifth-round technical knockout victory to retain his WBC heavyweight title.

* Rugby Australia says could scrap season-ending tour of Europe

Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) will cut 95% of its staff and slash executive pay as part of a "recovery plan" agreed with clubs during the coronavirus shut-down.

Rugby powerhouse New Zealand cancelled a string of this season's lower tier provincial competitions on Monday "to help secure the future of the sport" after the coronavirus lockdown.

Governing body Rugby Australia (RA) said on Monday it was unable to guarantee that Australia would retain four teams in the Super Rugby competition in the long-term as the domestic game battles for its survival during the coronavirus pandemic.

Major sports events around the world that have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic:

SOCCER - Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel makes a trademark flying save as the hosts clinched a 1-0 victory over rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

England women's captain Sarah Hunter has said she is willing to take a pay cut to ensure staff at the country's governing body do not lose their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis.

RUGBY SEVENS - New Zealand's Jonah Lomu evades several attempted tackles from Sri Lankan defenders during his side's 75-0 victory at the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens.

RUGBY SEVENS - New Zealand's Jonah Lomu evades several attempted tackles from Sri Lankan defenders during his side's 75-0 victory at the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens.

As Australians embarked on the unprecedented novelty of a weekend without sport on Saturday, negotiations continued between professional leagues and players over wage cuts to ensure they survive the coronavirus shutdown.

Major sports events around the world that have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic:

Four years after being inspired by watching compatriot Justin Rose claim gold at the Rio Olympics, Bronte Law had all but secured a spot on the British golf team before the 2020 Tokyo Games were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

American golfer Davis Love III's home was destroyed by an early morning fire in Georgia on Friday but the 21-time PGA Tour winner said he and his wife were not injured in the early morning blaze.

The Evian Championship, the fourth women's golf major of the year, has been moved to August from July due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said on Friday.

Major sports events around the world that have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic:

BOXING – Briton Lennox Lewis lands a punch on Shannon Briggs en route a fifth-round technical knockout victory to retain his WBC heavyweight title.

The U.S. Open originally scheduled to be played June 18-21 at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York has been postponed over coronavirus concerns, the New York Post reported on Thursday.

BOXING - Johnny Nelson beats Carl Thompson to win the WBO world cruiserweight championship in a fight that was controversially stopped by referee Paul Thomas.

The following sports events, scheduled to be held between May and July 2020, could be next in line for postponement, suspension or cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic: SPORT DATE(S) EVENT GOLF June 4-8 U.S. Women's Open June 18-21 U.S. Open June 25-28 Women's PGA Championship July 23-26 Evian Championship Jul

England's Tommy Fleetwood said Europe's Ryder Cup title defence should be postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, as this would give all golfers a fair chance to qualify.