By Anora Mahmudova and Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Wall Street flirted with its worst
decline in more than 3 years in a roller -coaster day of trading
that culminated with shares recovering from the depths of what
began as a bona fide market rout Wednesday.
U.S. stocks sold off amid the largest volume in nearly three
years, as investors jettisoned risky securities and scrambled for
the safety of government bonds as 10-year Treasurys surged and
yields briefly dipped below 2%, until settling at a 52-week
low.
Implied volatility on the S&P 500, as measured by the CBOE
Vix index jumped to levels not seen in more than 2 years. Vix rose
15% to 26. Read: Here's what's driving the market meltdown
The S&P 500 (SPX) briefly turned negative for the year
before rebounding and on intraday basis recorded a 9.8% decline
from peak to trough. The benchmark index closed down 15.21 points,
or 0.8%, to 1,862.49.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) fell as much as 460
points, but finished down 173.45 points, or 1.1%, to 16,141.74.
The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) at one point entered correction
territory, falling more than 10% from its previous peak, but
regained its footing, finishing with modest losses. The tech-heavy
index closed down 11.85 points, or 0.3%, to 4,215.32.
Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 (RUT) defied selling pressure and
finished the day up 7 points, or 0.7%, at 1,069. Recap of today's
stock market coverage live blog.
Strategists at Voya Investment Management blamed a "perfect
storm" on the selloff. That storm includes: "The surging dollar,
plummeting oil prices and recessionary bond yields are creating
havoc in the markets because they are signaling deflation. No, not
just in Europe but globally as well," they wrote in a note.
Read: These 5 charts explain when to call a bottom in the
S&P's slide
Disappointing economic reports added to already jittery
sentiment on Wall Street. Reports on manufacturing in the state of
New York and U.S. wholesale prices missed expectations, and a
reading on retail sales showed a decline for the first time in
eight months. Read: It's the momentum of the economic data that's
worrisome
Today's market-moving news: The financial sector led the rout in
U.S. stocks on Wednesday, as investors grew concerned about a range
of issues from the economy to inflation to the current Ebola
outbreak.
Bank of America (BAC) reported a third-quarter loss that was
smaller than expected, however, shares fell 4.6%.
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) was the biggest loser in the
Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 4.2%. The Financial Select
Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), which tracks financial stocks in the
S&P 500 SPX fell 3.4%.
AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) shares rose 0.9% after the U.S. drug maker
indicated it's reconsidering a $54 billion deal to buy Shire PLC in
light of new Treasury rules that make that deal less attractive.
Shares of Shire slumped 22% in London, weighing on the FTSE 100,
while its U.S.-listed shares (SHPGY) sank 30%.
The AbbVie news spilled over to other so-called inversion plays.
Covidien PLC(COV), which earlier this year agreed to be acquired by
Medtronic Inc.(MDT), led S&P 500 decliners, falling 7%.
Hazmat-suit related companies that recently rallied on Ebola
fears were surging once again. Shares of Lakeland Industries Inc.
(LAKE) rallied 10%, Alpha Pro Tech Ltd. (APT) jumped 14% and Versar
Inc. (VSR) soared 65.24% to $6.94. .
American Express (AXP), Netflix Inc. (NFLX) and eBay Inc. (EBAY)
report after the close. Check out MarketWatch's for previews.
Other markets: Asian stocks largely rebounded from Tuesday
losses. European stocks skidded, and the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600
has fallen more than 10% from its 2014 high reached in June,
putting it in correction territory.
Crude-oil prices (CLZ4) fell slightly, while gold prices (GCZ4)
edged up.
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires