Global share rally grinds to a halt

The global share rally hit a wall on Thursday, as investor nerves took hold following a string of company warnings over the impact of coronavirus. These were the day’s top stories:

1. Global shares slipped as companies warned on disruption for the outbreak

2. UK retail sales excluding fuel rose the most since May 2018

3. Lloyds’ profits fell by around a quarter after PPI charge

4. Victoria’s Secret will be to a private equity house

5. Morgan Stanley will buy E*Trade for $13bn in shift towards retail