Wall Street slumps, investors flee to safe havens on virus fears

U.S. stocks opened sharply lower on Friday, as the global tally of coronavirus infections surpassed 100,000 and jittery investors took cover in perceived safe havens such as bonds and gold.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 664.07 points, or 2.54%, at the open to 25,457.21.

The S&P 500 opened lower by 69.74 points, or 2.31%, at 2,954.20. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 269.58 points, or 3.08%, to 8,469.02 at the opening bell.