Stock Market Today, March 20: S&P 500 Drops for Third Day, Fourth Week in a Row

Equities sold off: S&P 500 fell 1.50% to 6,507.49, the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.98% to 21,653.71 and the Dow lost 0.96% to 45,577.46. The decline was driven by war‑driven oil volatility, rising yields and a record options expiration, implying elevated cross‑asset volatility—monitor oil prices, Treasury yields and options positioning for further downside risk or hedging needs.

Analysis

Equities sold off: S&P 500 fell 1.50% to 6,507.49, the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.98% to 21,653.71 and the Dow lost 0.96% to 45,577.46. The decline was driven by war‑driven oil volatility, rising yields and a record options expiration, implying elevated cross‑asset volatility—monitor oil prices, Treasury yields and options positioning for further downside risk or hedging needs.