Global financial markets have rallied as investors seize on signs that the spread of coronavirus in some hotspots may be easing.European stocks closed more than 2% higher, while earlier Asian markets also gained.”Investors are reacting to indications that lockdown measures in the UK, US and Europe are beginning to ‘flatten the curve’ of coronavirus infections and fatalities. The market’s relief is only likely to last so long, and attention will soon turn to how countries intend to exit the current containment measures which have in effect hit the pause button on the global economy.” News that some countries, including Austria and Denmark, have made small steps to relax their lockdowns also helped sentiment.