Retreating crude oil prices along with a drop in consumer confidence sent the markets down to a sharply lower close with the Dow plummeting 188 points to 16,431. Nasdaq plunged 67 points to 4,503.
On the upside
Scientific Reports published a study by Ziopharm Oncology (Nasdaq: ZIOP) chief executive Laurence Cooper, M.D., Ph.D. describing genetic editing of human leukocyte antigen in hematopoietic stem cells.
Texas Roadhouse (Nasdaq: TXRH) reported higher fourth quarter earnings that topped analyst estimates.
McDermott International (NYSE: MDR) reported a smaller than expected loss for the fourth quarter.
On the downside
C&J Energy Services (NYSE: CJES) fell to a loss for the fourth quarter.
BMO Capital downgraded Century Aluminum (Nasdaq: CENX) from an Outperform rating to a Market Perform rating.
On Deck Capital (NYSE: ONDK) reported a loss for the fourth quarter and forecast current quarter as well as full year revenue that missed expectations.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by nearly 7 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 plunged 24 points to 1,921. Bitcoin tumbled $14 to $421.