MNI: Little in the way of overt positive news flow...>

MNI: Little in the way of overt positive news flow over the weekend has markets

trading defensively early on this week, with focus on a raft of negative

developments over the last 48 hours.

- Whether it be the continued spread of Coronavirus in South Korea, an outbreak

of the virus in Italy or the continued uncertainty re: business

restarting/containment in China, news flow on that front continues to be gloomy.

Elsewhere, there are suggestions that the virus' incubation period could be much

longer than the previously assumed 14 days, after a man in Hubei Province was

infected with coronavirus but failed to show symptoms until 27 days later, per

weekend reports.

- Elsewhere, Brexit sabre rattling continues, with broader Huawei-related trade

angst bubbling in the background.

- Chinese policymakers continue to try and soothe broader worry, but there is

only so much speculation re: further stimulus can do re: market sentiment.

- Over in the U.S., another commanding victory for Bernie Sanders in the

Democratic Party's Nevada caucuses can't really be deemed market friendly.