Which global market crash began after the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a worldwide sell-off in February 2020?

The COVID-19 market crash began after the pandemic triggered a worldwide sell-off in February 2020.

As COVID-19 spread beyond China, investors anticipated lockdowns, disrupted supply chains, weaker travel, and a sharp reduction in economic activity. Major stock markets fell rapidly from February into March as uncertainty intensified.

The S&P 500 entered a bear market on March 12, 2020, and reached its closing low for the initial crash on March 23. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates, resumed large-scale asset purchases, and established emergency lending facilities. Governments also introduced extensive fiscal support.

The market decline was unusually fast, but the subsequent rebound was also rapid compared with many historical crashes. The crash should not be confused with the later inflation and interest-rate-driven market declines of 2022, which had different immediate causes.