The COVID-19 market crash began in 2020 as major stock indexes plunged while the pandemic spread globally.
From February into March 2020, investors reacted to rapidly expanding infections, government restrictions, business closures, travel disruptions, and uncertainty about economic activity. The S&P 500 entered a bear market after falling more than 20 percent from its February 19 record close. The Dow also experienced several record-sized point declines.
The turmoil was intensified by an oil-price dispute between Saudi Arabia and Russia, which contributed to a sharp fall in crude prices. U.S. markets triggered circuit breakers on March 9, March 12, March 16, and March 18 as prices moved exceptionally fast.
The crash was unusually brief compared with many historic downturns. Massive fiscal support, central-bank action, vaccine development, and changing expectations helped markets recover from their March lows, although economic damage and market performance differed across countries and sectors.