Dow Drops Over 300 Points Following Reports of Biden Eyeing Capital Gains Tax Hike

U.S stocks reversed lower in a swift fashion on Thursday after reports that President Joe Biden is slated to propose much higher capital gains taxes for the rich.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 321.41 points, or 1%, to 33,815.90. At its low of the day, the blue-chip benchmark fell 420 points. The S&P 500 erased earlier gains and closed 0.9% lower at 4,134.98, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 0.9% to 13,818.41.

Bloomberg News reported Thursday afternoon that Biden is planning a capital gains tax hike to as high as 43.4% for wealthy Americans. The proposal would hike the capital gains rate to 39.6% for those earning $1 million or more, up from 20% currently, according to Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters and the New York Times later matched the headlines.