European markets continue to fall..........>

EQUITIES: European markets continue to fall sharply, with peripheral European

equities leading the way as Italy drops over 4%. Italian banks are leading the

way lower in the Italian FTSE-MIB, with the likes of Banca Monte Dei Paschi down

near 7% and UniCredit down 4%. Reports that local Italian officials could be

considering mortgage payment relief as part of a package to combat the economic

effects of the Coronavirus outbreak in Lombardy.

- Airlines and travel agents are also a particular weak spot, with easyJet, TUI

AG, RyanAir and Lufthansa among the biggest intraday fallers so far today.

- Defensive sectors including precious metals miners (e.g. Polymetal

International) are among the only gainers so far Monday given the outperformance

of gold & silver - last seen up 2.3% and 1.5% respectively.