Historic market decline | When does it end? | Reasons for optimism

There's no sugar-coating it: Stocks are having one of their worst months ever.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE SAT, MAR 21, 2020 WEEKEND BRIEF EDITOR'S NOTE It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times.   The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all posted their worst weekly losses since 2008. The financial carnage spared not one of the S&P's 11 sectors with all of them down more than 20% from their 52-week highs.   The Dow is on track to post its worst month since 1931. The S&P's performance is its worst since 1940. The Nasdaq hasn't looked this bad since the tech bubble burst in 2001.   West Texas Intermediate crude had its worst week since 1991, dropping more than 29%. And it's headed for its worst month ever, down more than 44 percent month-to-date, so far.   Economists are sizing up the damage. Goldman Sachs came out with one of the worst forecasts: A 24% contraction in the nation's gross domestic product in the second quarter after a 6% decline in the first quarter. Call it what you will. Bear market, recession or worse. We just don't know where it ends.   CNBC's Patti Domm writes that markets face more violent swings in the coming weeks as freshly ground economic data reveals just how hard the pandemic is slamming the U.S. economy. It's likely going to be this way until we stabilize the coronavirus contagion and begin to bring down infection rates.   Once this happens, we may see the best of times. To be sure, we will get through all of this, and there is room for optimism.   CNBC's Fred Imbert writes that the S&P could go back to hitting record highs as soon as next year. He cites  Dubravko Lakos-Bujas, JPMorgan's chief U.S. equity strategist, who predicts the S&P 500 to reach 3,400 in early 2021.   "Acknowledging that equity markets globally are now down 30-50% from their recent highs ... we see an … upside significantly higher than downside over the next year," he said.   Thanks for reading Weekend Brief.  We are all looking forward to better times.  Email your thoughts at EveningBrief@nbcuni.com or message me on Twitter @tellittoal.   Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world.   Al Lewis | CNBC Markets Editor @tellittoal THE WEEK AHEAD Another harrowing week looms for markets as US economy shuts down and virus spreads   YOUR WEEKEND BRIEFING  Kudlow says coronavirus relief package worth more than $2 trillion Warren and Wyden: Coronavirus stimulus bill must include expanded Social Security payments Check here for Coronavirus news live updates Stocks can return to records early next year if the US can curb coronavirus spread, says JPMorgan Op-Ed: Investor who made it through '87 crash gives optimistic case for the stock market right now Cramer's week ahead: We're fighting a 'two-front war' with coronavirus Gary Cohn says the US is in a recession that will cost 'trillions' as unemployment 'skyrockets' PRO: Wall Street analysts say buy these 'safe-haven' stocks amid market volatility PRO: Buy these 'social distancing' stocks, says JPMorgan PRO: 'Virus-defensive' stocks started to outperform in January, before the broader market plunged     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 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