US: Wall Street plunges at the open as pandemic fears heighten

[NEW YORK] US stocks opened sharply lower on Friday as investors dumped equities amid a rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak, which has raised fears of a possible global recession.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 495.81 points, or 1.92 per cent, at the open to 25,270.83.

The S&P 500 opened lower by 61.86 points, or 2.08 per cent, at 2,916.90. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 296.74 points, or 3.46 per cent, to 8,269.74 at the opening bell. 

REUTERS