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* FTSE 100 down 3.3%, FTSE 250 down 3%
* Financials, miners lead declines
* Miners hit lowest level in three weeks
(Changes quote, updates to closing prices)
By Sagarika Jaisinghani and Muvija M
Feb 24 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 recorded its worst
one-day performance in more than four-and-a-half years on
Monday, in a fall that wiped $65 billion off companies' market
value, as a jump in coronavirus cases outside China set off
fears of a pandemic.
The FTSE 100 fell 3.3%, tracking declines across the
world, as sharp rises in new cases in Iran, Italy and South
Korea raised concerns about a bigger hit to the world economy
than previously feared.
The midcap bourse suffered a 3% drop, tumbling to
levels last seen in December.
Losses in Britain were broad based, with miners
shedding nearly 6% on their worst day in nearly four years.
EasyJet and British Airways-owner IAG led the
wider travel and leisure sector down 5.3%.
"The coronavirus outbreak has altered market dynamics since
late January," BlackRock analysts wrote in their weekly note.
"The spread of the virus – and the containment measures
imposed by the Chinese authorities – have triggered global
supply chain disruptions and a hit to global growth, making such
global firms vulnerable."
Italian stocks plunged roughly 5.5%, after the
country reported its fourth death from the virus and a jump in
infections.
Outside mainland China, the outbreak has spread to about 29
countries and territories, according to a Reuters tally. In
England, four passengers evacuated from a cruise ship have
tested positive for the virus.
Travel, tourism and luxury stocks have been among the worst
hit as efforts to contain the deadly virus have led to travel
restrictions to China.
Monday's dramatic fall left the FTSE 100 5.1% lower for the
year.
Other news-driven moves dragged AB Foods down by
1.5%, after a warning that there was a risk of supply shortages
on some lines if delays in factory production in China were
prolonged due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In the more domestically focused midcap index, some of the
biggest decliners were Wizz Air, Tullow Oil and
Kaz Minerals.
In a bright spot, business supplies distributor Bunzl
added 3% after posting a higher annual profit, thanks
to acquisitions made last year.
Another gainer was precious metals miner Fresnillo,
which gained 3.2% after it brought forward the production
targets for the Mexican project, Juanicipio.
(Reporting by Sagarika Jaisinghani and Muvija M in Bengaluru;
Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Andrew Cawthorne)
