Dow plunges 800 as trade war flares

Stocks are plunging on Wall Street after China let its currency sink to the lowest level in more than a decade, escalating its trade war with the U.S.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 800 points Monday, or 3%, its worst drop of the year.

Technology companies and banks fell the most. Apple and Bank of America each fell 5%.

Bond prices soared, sending yields sharply lower, as investors sought safety.

China's central bank allowed the yuan to sink below seven per dollar. Investors are concerned that Beijing is using its currency as a weapon in its trade skirmish with Washington.

The Dow lost 850 points, or 3.2%, to 25,629.

The S&P 500 fell 93 points, or 3.2%, to 2,837. The Nasdaq fell 309 points, or 3.9%, to 7,694.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

8/5/2019 2:34:53 PM (GMT -4:00)