Odds Against the Dow Jones Suspending Trading for 1 Full Day or More Before May 12

• The worsening coronavirus outbreak fueled Thursday’s historic drop on the Dow Jones Industrial Average
• The Dow shed over 2352 points amid a panicky selloff, but rebounded dramatically on Friday following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency
• Get all the odds and insight into what’s next for America’s second-oldest stock index in the story below

The widening coronavirus outbreak has taken its toll on the world’s stock markets. From New York to Hong Kong, the markets have endured an historically difficult week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was not spared, dropping by a record 2352.60 points on Thursday, or 9.99% of its value. The sharp decline triggered a halt in trading for a second time this week. Despite Thursday’s historic meltdown and a deepening crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dow Jones is not expected to experience any lengthy shutdown.

In fact, the odds of America’s second-oldest stock market index avoiding such a disruption between now and May 12th are pegged at a short -932 in the COVID-19 props.

Will the Dow Jones Suspend Trading for a Full Day or More On or Before May 12

Odds taken on March 13th

Crisis Ends Historic Bull Market

The United States has been hit particularly hard by this week’s economic upheaval, which has brought the longest bull market in the nation’s history to a sudden end. Thursday’s spectacular selloff fuelled the biggest one-day tumble since October 1987, and marked the third time in just four days that the Dow Jones suffered dips in excess of 5%.

Stock trading halted for second time this week as markets plunge https://t.co/ugB00zkQ19 pic.twitter.com/OYEpRv9KAM

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 12, 2020

Once again proving that dabbling on Wall Street is not an exercise for the faint of heart. The Dow Jones has also seen its three biggest single-day point gains occur this month, including a dramatic 1167.14 point advance on Tuesday that marked the fourth largest climb in the Dow’s 135-year history.

Trading Halts Not Without Precedent

Lengthy trading halts are not without precedent on Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ both halted trading for six days in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. However, with America’s financial markets being among the primary targets of that terrorist attack, and with countless traders among the victims, the circumstances behind that stoppage in trading were quite extraordinary.

🇺🇸🔔📉📈🔔🇺🇸

On September 17 2001 the New York Stock Exchange reopens for the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, the longest period of closure since the Great Depression of the 1930s.#NYSE @NYSE #WallStreet pic.twitter.com/xth6SsItuQ

— Investing.com (@Investingcom) September 17, 2019

While the pain of 9/11 continues to resonate to this day, the markets proved to be remarkably resilient, with the Dow Jones and NASDAQ rebounding to their pre-shutdown price levels by the end of October 2001.

Market Worries Eased by National Emergency Declaration

Concerns remain about how a rising number of COVID-19 cases might impact trading. Of course, for trading to occur, traders need to be working. Those concerns have fuelled some calls for a market shutdown until the coronavirus outbreak is under control. But much has changed since 2001, most notably the ability of both traders and consumers to conduct stock trades online from virtually anywhere.

President @realDonaldTrump is officially declaring a National Emergency and ordering every state to set up emergency operations centers, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/dkdaJVsOVk

— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) March 13, 2020

Wall Street roared back from its worst day in 30 years Friday with a broad rally that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average nearly 2,000 points higher – its biggest point gain ever – after President Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency. pic.twitter.com/y3AAB4UMzu

— Rob Quirk (@KOAARobQuirk) March 13, 2020

A dramatic worsening of the current COVID-19 crisis indeed has the potential to cause further disruption to markets in the United States and beyond. However, the Dow Jones staged an impressive rally on Friday, surging up 1985 points (9.4%) in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency. That, along with a ramping up of coronavirus testing, makes a +559 wager on a lengthy suspension of trading no longer a value.

Pick: No (-932)