Which U.S. stock index fell about 12.9% on March 16, 2020 during the COVID-19 crash?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell about 12.9% on March 16, 2020 during the COVID-19 crash. It was the Dow's largest one-day percentage decline since 1987 and came as governments imposed restrictions, economic forecasts deteriorated and an oil-price dispute added pressure.

Trading was halted several times during March as market-wide circuit breakers were triggered. Investors rapidly sold shares, corporate bonds and other risky assets while seeking cash and government securities. The Federal Reserve and other central banks introduced extraordinary lending and asset-purchase programs to stabilize markets.

The sell-off was unusually swift but was followed by a powerful rebound. Technology companies and businesses benefiting from remote work gained influence as the pandemic changed consumer behavior. The crash is often grouped with the 2020 Black Mondays, but March 16 was a specific trading session with its own percentage loss.