Dow Jones crashes 9% amid trader keystroke error rumours

US stocks plunged to lows last seen in 1987 tonight, amid speculation a trader entered a "b" for billion instead of an "m" for million when placing an order.

In one of the most dizzying half hours in stock market history, the Dow Jones caved nearly 1000 points to be down by more than 9%, before starting to recover. The index eventually closed down almost 350 points, or 3.2%, down at 10,520.32. Elsewhere, the S&P plunged 3.24% and the Nasdaq fell 3.44%. Yields on 10-year treasury notes dropped the most since September 2008 and the euro fell to a new 14-month low, below $1.26. Reports on the CNBC news network linked the sudden fall to a trader error, in which a trader placed an order typing a "b" for billion instead of an "m" for million...