Asian shares tumble as surging dollar negates stimulus measures

South Korean shares fall sharply as more coronavirus infections emerge

A dealing room of a bank in Seoul. Shares across much of Asia suffered in morning trade on March 19 as the coronavirus pandemic continued to spook investors. © Reuters

NARAYANAN SOMASUNDARAM, Nikkei Asian Review chief banking and financial correspondent

March 19, 2020 14:07 JST

Updated on March 19, 2020 16:50 JST

HONG KONG -- Asian shares fell across the board on Thursday as investor concerns over the deepening coronavirus pandemic and a strengthening dollar outweighed a slew of new stimulus measures.

Japanese shares gave up early gains to fall 1% while the yen, often considered a haven during times of market stress, slipped 0.5% against the dollar, underscoring the surging demand for the greenback.