Dow Declines 200 Points, Remains in 'Extreme Fear' Zone

CNN Money Fear and Greed Index shows easing fear but stays in 'Extreme Fear' territory

Mar. 20, 2026 at 6:48am

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U.S. stocks closed lower on Thursday, with the Dow Jones index dipping more than 200 points for the second straight session. The CNN Money Fear and Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, showed some easing in the overall fear level but remained in the 'Extreme Fear' zone.

Why it matters

The 'Extreme Fear' reading in the Fear and Greed Index suggests continued market volatility and investor uncertainty, which can impact consumer confidence and broader economic conditions.

The details

Most sectors on the S&P 500 closed on a negative note, with materials, consumer discretionary and consumer staples stocks recording the biggest losses. However, energy and financial stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing higher. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index surged to 18.1 in March, the highest reading since September 2025.

  • The Dow Jones closed lower by around 204 points to 46,021.43 on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • The CNN Money Fear and Greed Index showed a reading of 17.3 on Thursday, March 20, 2026, compared to a prior reading of 15.4.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who spoke alongside Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House and commented on Iran.

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What they’re saying

“Iran is "close to demolished," and the "excursion will be over soon" — but then added, "we can take out Kharg Island any time we want.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

The takeaway

The continued 'Extreme Fear' reading in the CNN Money Fear and Greed Index suggests investors remain highly cautious, which could impact broader economic conditions and consumer confidence going forward.