European shares attempt recovery from 2012 lows

European shares rose on Tuesday, following a sharp sell-off in the previous session triggered by panic over the hold that the coronavirus has over Europe and the resulting damage to business activity and company finances globally.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 2.7% at 0804 GMT after plunging to its lowest since November 2012 on Monday. The unchecked spread of the virus around the world has erased liquidity from financial markets and sent volatility to record highs. Europe's fear gauge closed Monday just shy of its peak from the 2008 financial crisis.

While a slate of European sub-indexes attempted a rebound in early trading on Tuesday, the travel and leisure index fell 0.5% as drastic containment measures forced airlines to make unprecedented cuts to flights, costs and staffing. French shares added 3.9% after falling to their lowest in more than six years, as President Emmanuel Macron sought to reassure businesses by offering them more fiscal aid. "No French company, whatever its size, will be exposed to the risk of collapse," he said.

The world's biggest catering firm Compass Group tumbled 7.2% to the bottom of the STOXX 600, after issuing a profit warning due to steps taken in Europe and North America to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

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