What's going on?

As the pandemic starts to resurface, investors are getting out of the water pronto: they sold off shares around the world on Monday. Du-nuh� Du-nuh�

What does this mean?

Coronavirus is on the rise again: the UK, to take one example, reckons it�s on track for 50,000 new cases a day by mid-October if no action�s taken. So to avoid that sort of spread and the death toll that�d likely follow, countries might be forced to roll out new regional or national lockdowns. And given that the last ones led to the worst-ever contractions in giant economies like the US and eurozone, it�s perhaps no surprise that investors � most of whom were anticipating an economic recovery by now � ditched the stocks most likely to feel the effects of another slowdown. Or, if things get really bad, another halt on economic comings and goings altogether�

Why should I care?

For markets: A leisurely selloff.

Among the worst-hit stocks were those in the travel and leisure industries. No surprises there: hotels, restaurants, and bars are all facing costly restrictions on business hours and service etiquette � if they can stay open at all. Airlines, likewise, will earn less money if all-but-essential travel is stopped again. That�d be why shares of British Airways owner IAG fell 12%, while even low-cost carriers Easyjet and Ryanair � whose short-haul routes are expected to recover more quickly than their larger rivals� long-haul trips � were down 8% and 5% respectively.

The bigger picture: When they zig, you zag.
The US�s key stock market index fell to its lowest level since July on Monday, perhaps reflecting concerns that Europe�s resurgence will spread Stateside or hurt American companies that have large international segments. Some analysts might say it�s about time to start looking elsewhere for opportunities � like, say, smaller American companies� stocks, or those outside the States altogether.