Nasdaq suffers worst monthly performance in almost 14 years

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The Nasdaq on Friday suffered its worst monthly performance in almost 14 years, as tech companies' disappointing quarterly financial results ignited a selloff.

The tech-heavy index was down 536 points, or 4.17%, to 12,334 at the final bell on Friday.

On a monthly basis, it plummeted 13.3% in April, its worst decline since October 2008, when the global financial crisis caused a bloodbath in US markets.

The Dow Jones dove 939 points, or 2.77%, to 32,977 and the S&P 500 lost 155 points, or 3.63%, to 4,131.

The dollar index decreased 0.44% to 103.17.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, soared 11.3% to 33.39, while the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes rose 2% to 2.920%.

Precious metals were mixed, with gold adding 0.1% to $1,896 but silver shedding 1.7% to $22.76.

Crude oil prices were down. Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading at $106.78, down 0.45%, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $104.41 – a 0.9% loss.