Company earnings tell the story of COVID-19 pandemic’s early days

Leslie Musumecci checks a text while Emily Summerville rinses her hair Monday, May 11, 2020 at The Nook on 7th Street in Tuscaloosa, Ala. the first time since mid-March when personal contact businesses were shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions. Summerville owns The Nook with her husband. She said they had fielded many calls for appointments and were doing their best to accommodate those who had waited the longest to get them in first. (Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News via AP) Leslie Musumecci checks a text while Emily Summerville rinses her hair Monday, May 11, 2020 at The Nook on 7th Street in Tuscaloosa, Ala. the first time since mid-March when personal contact businesses were shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions. Summerville owns The Nook with her husband. She said they had fielded many calls for appointments and were doing their best to accommodate those who had waited the longest to get them in first. (Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News via AP)

By Associated Press May 11, 2020 5 min read

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments Monday related to national and global response, the work place and the spread of the virus.

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EARNINGS SEASON

The damage from the pandemic is playing out in quarterly earnings reports, which have begun to capture the earliest days of the outbreak. Quarterly growth has plunged 13% for S&P 500 companies that have reported, according to S&P Global. Most companies have withdrawn all financial guidance for the year given the unprecedented disruption to the economy.

– Under Armour’s sales fell 23% in the first quarter, with 15% of that decline related to the impact of the virus outbreak. The report Monday dragged down a bunch of other clothing makers including Hanesbrands, PVH, Tapestry and Capri.