US equity markets fell sharply, pushing the Dow and S&P 500 back into negative territory for the calendar year-to-date as longer dated Treasury yields jumped and as investors kept close tabs on a sweeping tax and spending bill that's moving through Congress and could dramatically increase the federal deficit - Dow dropped -817-points or -1.91% UnitedHealth Group Inc (down -5.78%) was the worst performer in the 30-stock index overnight, having been the leading Dow component for the past three sessions. The Guardian reported that the health insurer giant had secretly paid nursing homes to reduce transfers of residents in need of care to hospitals. The company denied the allegations.
