Stocks Continue to Slip , on Wall Street, , Edging Closer to Bear Market.<br />On May 19, Wall Street saw stocks fall <br />in early morning trading, worsening <br />a slump experienced by major indexes.<br />On May 19, Wall Street saw stocks fall <br />in early morning trading, worsening <br />a slump experienced by major indexes.<br />ABC News reports that the drop<br />comes as record-high inflation <br />continues to weigh down the economy.<br />ABC News reports that the drop<br />comes as record-high inflation <br />continues to weigh down the economy.<br />The S&P 500 fell 0.4% <br />and is down almost 19% from <br />a record high set earlier this year.<br />The S&P 500 fell 0.4% <br />and is down almost 19% from <br />a record high set earlier this year.<br />ABC News reports that this is just <br />one point shy of the 20% drop <br />that defines a bear market.<br />The Dow Jones Industrial Average <br />dropped 0.9%, losing 279 points.<br />Target lost an additional 3.6% <br />just one day after losing a quarter <br />of its value due to a weak profit report. .<br />Investors have reportedly been spooked by rising <br />interest rates, record inflation, Russia's war in Ukraine <br />and strict COVID lockdowns halting China's economy.<br />Investors have reportedly been spooked by rising <br />interest rates, record inflation, Russia's war in Ukraine <br />and strict COVID lockdowns halting China's economy.<br />These fears have caused stocks <br />in everything from major tech companies<br />to traditional automakers to plummet.<br />These fears have caused stocks <br />in everything from major tech companies<br />to traditional automakers to plummet.<br />According to ABC, investors have been concerned <br />that soaring inflation and energy costs will <br />impact consumers' purchasing power.<br />The Federal Reserve aggressively raising <br />interest rates has also led to concerns that <br />the U.S. central bank could cause a recession.<br />The Federal Reserve aggressively raising <br />interest rates has also led to concerns that <br />the U.S. central bank could cause a recession
