from Birch Gold Group:

The quickly-spreading coronavirus is understandably causing worry in the markets.

Originating in Wuhan, China, the virus moved from animals to humans at a local food market. Since then, it has since spread to other parts of China and beyond.

Jim Rickards compares this virus with a potential economic “contagion” that can result as the concern over the virus turns into panic and causes distress.

He describes the “panic” as already happening in China, only a couple of weeks after the virus began to spread, and asks a crucial question:

The disease is causing financial panic in China at a time when it can least afford it. GDP growth has hit a wall and investors have curtailed new investment. Could it unleash a global financial panic that ultimately results in a lockdown of the banking system?

The Federal Reserve, which completed its most-recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, doesn’t appear to be too concerned with Rickards’ question at the moment. In their official statement following the meeting, it only mentioned keeping track of “global developments” and “readings on financial and international developments”.

But it’s quite possible that Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will have to change his tune in the months to come. After all, he has already created a QE “monster” for the markets to deal with. Piling potential ripple effects of the coronavirus on top of that could result in an absolute disaster for the economy.

Jim Rickards thinks one reason things could still take a turn for the worse is that there is still quite a bit of time for the virus to impact the economy, saying, “This is the type of catalyst that could take a year to build.”

The “Black Swan” that Could Blow a Hole in the U.S. Economy

Writing on Forbes, Senior Contributor Jack Kelly paints an even more disturbing picture.

According to his piece, “A black swan event is a term used on Wall Street that refers to a rare and unpredictable occurrence that is beyond what is expected and has severe consequences.”

There are two ways the coronavirus could qualify as a black swan event. One is how rare and unpredictable this new virus is, which is fairly obvious.

But more importantly, it comes at a time when other market signals are already pointing to a potential recession in the U.S.

So this virus certainly is “beyond what is expected” and could potentially have “severe consequences” economically, including the possibility of a full banking system lockdown, which Rickards alluded to.

To illustrate the immediate potential impact a “black swan” like the coronavirus could have on any economy, Kelly highlights at least five impacts already beginning to take place in China’s economy:

1. The virus started around the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is known as the country’s biggest travel period.


2. Global stock and bond markets have been hit by mounting worries. Investors are afraid of how this will play out.


3. Employees returning from impacted areas are being told not to show up to work.


4. International commerce will slow down.


5. China and neighboring countries are shutting down restaurants, hotels, resorts and other businesses that may spread the virus.

Kelly adds, “It’s reasonable to believe that for the near-term period of time, stocks will fall in value, hiring will temporarily slow down, new corporate initiatives will be placed on hold and the overall business climate will be fearful.”

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