# GLOBAL MARKETS New COVID-19 strain inflicts pain across markets, triggers volatility | Reuters

> European shares fell about 3% and the dollar strengthened after a new COVID-19 strain hit markets. The pound fell 2.5% below $1.32, putting it on track for its biggest daily drop since March, with no post-Brexit trade deal before the December 31 deadline.

- Date: 2020-12-21 · published 2020-12-21T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: macro · region Global · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/49912-global-markets-new-covid-19-strain-inflicts-pain-across-markets-triggers
- Commodities: [British Pound (USD per GBP)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/GBPUSD.md), [US Dollar (Broad)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/DXY.md)

## Why it matters

Risk-off moves and a stronger dollar typically weigh on dollar-denominated grain and feed prices, while the sterling slide raises UK import costs for feed. The effect is mainly on currency and sentiment.

## Read by commodity

- DXY: bullish ▲
- GBPUSD: bearish ▼

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DXY | 2026-02-02 | [Slump in commodities rattles global markets \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/20505-slump-in-commodities-rattles-global-markets-reuters.md) | +0.3% | +0.7% |
| DXY | 2021-02-26 | [Stock markets roiled by global bond whiplash \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/9588-stock-markets-roiled-by-global-bond-whiplash-reuters.md) | +0.7% | +1.9% |
| DXY | 2020-12-31 | [GLOBAL MARKETS Wall Street inches higher, dollar gains as tumultuous year nears finish line \| Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/49842-global-markets-wall-street-inches-higher-dollar-gains-as-tumultuous-year-nears.md) | -0.0% | +1.0% |
| DXY | 2021-02-26 | [GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks try to recover from bond whiplash, dollar gains By Reuters](https://feedsoft.ai/events/10601-global-markets-stocks-try-to-recover-from-bond-whiplash-dollar-gains-by-reuters.md) | +0.7% | +1.9% |
| DXY | 2021-11-24 | [Surging dollar awakens volatility in currency markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/11257-surging-dollar-awakens-volatility-in-currency-markets.md) | -0.1% | -0.2% |

## Sources

- reuters.com: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-wrapup-6-pix-2020-12-21/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.