How many points did the Dow lose on March 16, 2020, during the COVID-19 crash?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2,997.10 points on March 16, 2020, during the COVID-19 crash.

The drop was about 12.9%, making it the Dow’s largest one-day point loss at that time. Investors reacted to the rapid international spread of COVID-19, restrictions on travel and business activity, and growing fears of a global recession.

The Federal Reserve announced emergency measures on March 15, including a target-rate cut to near zero and a large asset-purchase program. Those actions did not prevent further volatility, and the S&P 500 soon entered a bear market.

The point total should not be confused with the day’s percentage decline or with later record point drops caused by the Dow’s much higher index level. On March 16, the Dow closed at 20,188.52.