(Reuters) - The S&P 500 (SPX) on Wednesday fell 20% below its Feb. 19 intraday record high, crossing the threshold into a bear market after the World Health Organization classified the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
Earlier in the session the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) also dipped 20% below its intraday record high reached on Feb. 12. To confirm a bear market the averages would need to close 20 percent below their record closing highs.
Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) fell 1,594.85 points, or 6.37%, to 23,423.31, the S&P 500 (SPX) lost 164.5 points, or 5.71%, to 2,717.73 and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) dropped 457.12 points, or 5.48%, to 7,887.13.