(Kitco News) - (Reuters) - The price of futures contracts for the S&P 500 index, a Wall Street benchmark, fell more than 4% on Sunday as off-hours trading for U.S. equity markets resumed, a sign that investors fear the toll from the fast-spreading coronavirus will deepen.
Italy, the country hardest hit by the virus in Europe, essentially locked down much of its wealthy north, including the financial capital Milan, in a drastic attempt to contain an outbreak that saw the number of deaths leap sharply on Sunday.
More than 107,000 people have been infected worldwide and 3,600 have died, according to a Reuters tally. In Italy, the number of cases jumped 25% in a 24-hour period to 7,375, while deaths climbed 57% to 366. It was the largest daily increase for both readings since the contagion came to light on Feb. 21.