On what date did the S&P 500 reach its pandemic-crash closing low in 2020?

The S&P 500 reached its pandemic-crash closing low on March 23, 2020.

The index’s closing low came after weeks of rapid selling as the COVID-19 pandemic spread internationally. Governments imposed travel restrictions and lockdowns, businesses closed, and investors feared a deep global recession. The oil market also suffered a dramatic shock in March after disagreements among major producers contributed to a price collapse.

From its February 19 record close to the March 23 low, the S&P 500 lost about 34%. The decline was unusually fast by historical standards. The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates, restarted large-scale asset purchases, and introduced emergency lending programs, while governments approved major fiscal support.

Markets rebounded sharply after March 23, even though the public-health crisis and economic damage continued. The date refers to the S&P 500’s closing low during the initial pandemic crash; intraday lows and the lows of other indexes can differ.