US markets dive over 2% at opening with Russian attack on Ukraine

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - US stocks plummeted more than 2% at the opening bell Thursday as Russia attacked Ukraine and intensified fears of geopolitical instability.

The Dow Jones lost almost 800 points, or 2.4%, to 32,333 at 9.39 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500 dove 84 points, or 0.2%, to 4,142.

The Nasdaq was off 245 points, or 1.88%, to 12,798 points.

Amid fears and geopolitical risks, the VIX volatility index soared 12.6% to 34.93. The fear index climbed to 37.79 at one point -- its highest since November 2020.

The yield on 10-year US Treasury notes fell 4.3% to 1.892%. The dollar index, on the other hand, was up 1.2% to 97.36.

Precious metals were on the rise with investors rushing to them as safe-haven assets. Gold rose 1.4% to $1,935 per ounce and silver jumped 1.1% to $24.81 an ounce.

Oil prices were also up with Brent crude trading at $99.15 per barrel with a 5.4% gain and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $97 -- a 5.3% increase.