Dow sees worst day of 2022 so far | Russia-Ukraine conflict looms | Stocks on track for losing week

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday posted its worst day of the year so far.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE THU, FEB 17, 2022 EVENING BRIEF AS OF THU, FEB 17, 2022 • 04:56 ET DJIA 34312.03 -1.78% -622.24 S&P 500 4380.26 -2.12% -94.75 NASDAQ 13716.72 -2.88% -407.38   Most Active DOW NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAPL 168.88 -3.67 -2.13% CSCO 55.77 +1.52 +2.80% MSFT 290.73 -8.77 -2.93% S&P 500 NAME LAST CHG %CHG AMD 112.37 -5.32 -4.52% NVDA 245.07 -20.04 -7.56% AAPL 168.88 -3.67 -2.13% NASDAQ NAME LAST CHG %CHG AMD 112.37 -5.32 -4.52% NVDA 245.07 -20.04 -7.56% AAPL 168.88 -3.67 -2.13%   EDITOR'S NOTE The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday posted its worst day of 2022 so far as investors' concerns about conflict at the Russia-Ukraine border intensified. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also closed in negative territory.   "U.S. stocks did not stand a chance today as risk aversion violently returned on growing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine," Oanda's Edward Moya said in a note Thursday. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday said the conflict had reached a "crucial moment"  and that Russia is moving toward "an imminent invasion." President Joe Biden echoed the ambassador's sentiment, warning that the threat of Russia invading Ukraine is "very high" and that an attack could come within "the next several days."   Investors fled riskier parts of the market and bid up safe-haven assets. Technology stocks were the worst-performing S&P 500 sector Thursday. Meanwhile, defensive stocks like consumer staples performed best, with the sector rising nearly 1%. Gold futures also settled up more than 1%, while U.S. 10-year Treasury prices rose.   All three major averages are on track to close the week lower. Hannah Miao | CNBC Associate Markets Reporter @HannahMiao_ Watch our live stream for all you need to know to invest smarter. TOP NEWS  Dow drops more than 600 points in worst decline of 2022 as Russia-Ukraine tensions worry investors Blinken makes dramatic bid at UN to prevent Russian invasion of Ukraine Russia-Ukraine crisis: Dow sees worst day of 2022 as tensions mount, oil prices dip Cathie Wood says her innovation stocks are 'way undervalued' and recent fund losses temporary Judge says Trump and two adult children must testify in New York attorney general probe Ark Invest's Cathie Wood explains why she's sticking by Zoom Video and Roblox Stocks at risk of bearish 'head-and-shoulder' pattern, Bank of America chart analyst says Walmart tops quarterly estimates, backs long-term forecast as it focuses on value amid rising food prices Tesla CEO Musk accuses SEC of calculated effort to 'chill' his right to free speech Ford's Mustang Mach-E beats Tesla's Model 3 as Consumer Reports' top electric vehicle for 2022   TOP VIDEO The Fed wants an orderly re-pricing of markets to a tighter monetary policy, says Paul McCulley   CNBC PRO These stocks should beat the market when inflation fears are rising, JPMorgan says   SPECIAL REPORTS The ranks of these kinds of investors are poised for fast growth in the coming decade Equifax is finally sending out codes for free credit monitoring—don't forget to activate yours   Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2022 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS