Companies remain torn between making socially responsible investments and meeting the short-term expectations of the stock market. But it's not all gloom and doom for green investors, especially in Europe.

Public health officials have urged businesses to prepare for an outbreak in the US, a move that has triggered yet another market downturn. For investors, "it's hard to be optimistic," according to financial analysts.

European stocks plummeted just after opening as the coronavirus outbreak destabilizes the world economy. Recent global stimulus measures failed to offset virus concerns.

European stock markets have started the month in the red, after global shares had their worst three months since the financial crisis. The massive sell-off began around six weeks ago as investors tried to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. As we enter a new quarter, there is no sign of improvement - stocks in Europe slumped by over 3 percent in trading this Wednesday. Also today, we discuss new figures showing that online sales have fallen for many French retailers since the lockdown began in the country

Wall Street jumped on Wednesday, despite the uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential election. Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst at Oanda, says investors are anxious to avoid a protracted dispute over the results. Also in the show, Business Editor Kate Moody looks at how carmakers and the tech industry could be affected by the outcome. Plus, California voters hand a victory to Uber in a key referendum on the gig economy.

The International Monetary Fund has given a stark warning after "excessive risk-taking" in the markets by investors. Stocks around the world, especially those of tech firms, have surged during the coronavirus pandemic.

Stock markets slumped in Asia on Thursday and European shares started the day's trading in the red, after signals from the US Federal Reserve that it could raise interest rates more than three times in 2022. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank's policy committee was "of a mind" to start raising rates in March, and that it would be guided by the economic data. FRANCE 24's Business Editor Stephen Carroll looks at market reaction to the announcements.

Nationwide protests against China's zero-Covid policy have left investors concerned about the outlook for the country's economy. On Monday morning, both the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng in Hong Kong were posting losses.

The closure of Silicon Valley Bank, followed by Signature Bank, has undermined market confidence and raised recession risk fears. Stocks and equities in Asia dropped amid fears about exposure.