Stocks Ended Lower, Dow Posted Worst Quarterly Drop since 1987

U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday, capping a brutal quarter that saw the global COVID-19 pandemic trigger a historic market selloff. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 410.32 points, or 1.84%, to 21,917.16. The blue-chip gauge fell 23.2% over the first three months of the year. The S&P 500 dropped 42.06 points, or 1.60%, to 2,584.59, leaving it with a 20% quarterly fall. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 74.05 points, or 0.95%, to 7,700.10. It saw a quarterly drop of around 14%.

U.S. oil futures settled slightly higher on Tuesday, finding some support after China reported strong manufacturing data and President Donald Trump spoke with Russia about efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and stabilize the crude market. May West Texas Intermediate crude tacked on 39 cents, or 1.9%, to settle at $20.48 a barrel. May Brent crude BRNK20, -0.22% fell 2 cents, or 0.09%, at $22.74 a barrel.