• The S&P 500 has broken the record for fastest 30% decline.
• The index fell 30% over 22 days, the shortest duration on record.
• The previous fastest 30% decline was in 1934 during the Great Depression.

It’s rough out there for investors. The major indexes continue to experience record volatility triggered by the international Covid-19 virus pandemic.

Stocks have sold off in a big way. In the chaos, the S&P 500 has broken the record for fastest 30% decline ever. The index fell over 30% over the course of 22 days. The previous record was set in 1934 during the Great Depression when the index fell over 30% in 23 days.

Fastest S&P 500 Falls over 30%

Year	Number of Days to 30% Drop
2020	22
1934	23
1931	24
1929	31
1987	38

The second, third, and fourth fastest drops happened during the Great Depression, while the fifth fastest dropped happened in 1987.

The S&P 500’s most recent high was set on Feb. 19, 2020. As of March 23rd, the index had fallen 32% below the high. The index is currently officially in ‘bear market’ territory. Experts note that the current trend indicates investors are pricing in a recession. Further losses could push the index to levels which indicate investors would be expecting a full on depression.