U.S. stocks open sharply lower amid concerns over trade tensions, earnings

U.S. stocks plunged in the morning session on Wednesday with the Dow dropping more than 550 points, as investors remain concerned about trade tensions between the United States and China.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 567.79 points, or 2.18 percent, to 25,461.73. The S&P 500 dropped 51.72 points, or 1.79 percent, to 2,830.05. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 120.93 points, or 1.54 percent, to 7,712.33.

File photo shows trader Jonathan Mueller working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. [Photo: IC]

All 11 primary S&P 500 sectors declined. Financial, energy and communication services sectors shed 2.58 percent, 1.98 percent and 1.56 percent, respectively, the top three laggards.

Wednesday's plunge added to the month's steep losses, as investors feared the U.S.-China trade tensions could escalate and affect an already slowing global economy.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted last Thursday that he would place an additional 10 percent tariff on the remaining 300 billion U.S. dollars worth of Chinese imports starting on Sept. 1.

Analysts have said the U.S. economy would be more directly impacted since the new tariff would target retail items along with other consumer goods.

The threatened tariff will also drag on corporate confidence, capital expenditures and global growth in the near term, Morgan Stanley strategists said in a note.

In corporate news, Disney shares lost more than 5 percent on weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings results.

The company reported earnings per share of 1.35 U.S. dollars and revenue of 20.25 billion dollars Tuesday after market close, both missing analysts' expectations.