Global stock markets struggled to regain their place on Friday, as investors held to the possibility that China would contain the Coronavirus, even as headlines reported more cases and deaths, travel bans, evictions and factory closures.

Europe shares opened up 0.3% after a bounce in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, but this rise was not offset the turbulent and costly week for many markets since August.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization described the virus as a global emergency.

The broader MSCI Global Equity Index has returned to stability. Outside Japan, Asia Pacific shares continued to decline, falling 0.4%, and appeared to be the worst weekly loss in a year, at 4.6%. Thursday's drop of 2.3% was the biggest one-day loss in six months.

Japan's Nikkei rose 1% but fell 2.6% for the week. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell 0.3% and fell 9% in two weeks. The Korean Kospi also saw its worst week in 15 months, losing 5.6%.