ASX Losses Deepen Amid Virus Gloom

A man looks at an electronic board displaying stock information at the Australian Securities Exchange, operated by ASX Ltd. in Sydney, Australia, on March 16, 2020. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Australian shares have deepened losses by mid-day with one analyst surprised by the extent.

The S&P/ASX 200 benchmark index was lower by 207.3 points, or 3.75 percent, at 5315.1 points at 1200 AEST on May 1.