Published February 11, 2016 9:33am EST | Updated February 11, 2016 11:04am EST

U.S. Stocks Open Sharply Lower; Dow Drops 220 Points

U.S. stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday as investors fled risky assets such as equities and oil, while piling into havens such as Treasurys and gold. The S&P 500 opened 22 points, or 1.2%, lower at 1,832. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 220 points, or 1.4%, at 15,695 shortly after the open. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the day down 51 points, or 1.2%, at 4,231.