US stocks close sharply lower amid wild session

NEW YORK -- US equities ended sharply lower on Wednesday with the Dow down more than 1,400 points, as fears of the spread of the coronavirus continued to grip Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 1,464.94 points, or 5.86 percent, to 23,553.22. The 30-stock index fell into a bear market, closing more than 20 percent off its all-time record highs set last month.

The S&P 500 decreased 140.85 points, or 4.89 percent, to end at 2,741.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 392.20 points, or 4.70 percent, to 7,952.05.

All the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended lower, with industrials falling 5.95 percent, the worst-performing group.