Which 2020 crash was triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdowns?

The 2020 crash triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdowns was the COVID-19 market crash.

As the coronavirus spread internationally in early 2020, governments restricted travel, closed businesses, and limited public activity. Investors rapidly marked down expectations for corporate earnings, employment, energy demand, and economic growth.

Major stock indexes fell at exceptional speed in February and March. On 9 March, 12 March, and 16 March, US market-wide circuit breakers halted trading after the S&P 500 dropped by the required amount. Central banks and governments then introduced large monetary and fiscal support measures.

The crash was unusually brief compared with many historical bear markets. Markets recovered strongly after March as policy support expanded and investors anticipated vaccines and economic reopening. The episode is distinct from the 2010 Flash Crash, which was an intraday trading disruption.