Which virus-related event caused the sharp global stock-market crash in March 2020?

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the sharp global stock-market crash in March 2020.

As the new coronavirus spread internationally, governments introduced travel restrictions, business closures, and stay-at-home measures. Investors rapidly revised expectations for company earnings, employment, trade, and economic growth. A dispute among major oil producers added another source of market stress.

The S&P 500 entered a bear market on 12 March 2020, and major U.S. indexes experienced several trading halts as prices fell. On 16 March, the S&P 500 dropped nearly 12%, one of its worst daily declines. Central banks cut interest rates or expanded asset-purchase programs, while governments announced large fiscal-support measures.

The crash was unusually brief compared with many earlier bear markets. Markets recovered strongly later in 2020, although economic damage, unequal effects, and continuing uncertainty remained major issues.