With volatility continuing to soar, the Dow and S&P were on track for their biggest point losses. Prior to today, the biggest point drops for the Dow & S&P was after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. All the major indices were down over 6% for the first time since 1998. The VIX is poised to close at levels not seen since 1988.
Dow biggest point drops
- 9/17/01 down 685
- 4/14/00 down 618
- 10/27/97 down 554
- 8/31/98 down 513
- 10/19/87 down 508
S&P biggest point drops
- 4/14/00 down 83
- 8/31/98 down 70
- 10/27/97 down 65
- 9/15/08 down 59
- 10/19/87 down 57
NASDAQ biggest point drops
- 4/14/00 down 356
- 4/3/00 down 349
- 4/12/00 down 286
- 4/10/00 down 258
- 1/4/00 down 230
Leading the Dow down today are GM, Bank of America, and American Express - all down over 10%. Leading the S&P's plunge are Wachovia and Sovereign Bancorp, both down over 70%!
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