Major U.S. stock-indexes fell more than percent in early trading on Wednesday as investors looked for safe havens after China allowed its currency to weaken further and oil prices fell to their lowest in more than 11 years. Investors were also nervous about rising geopolitical tensions after North Korea said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb and Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran. The People's Bank of China on Wednesday set the yuan's official midpoint rate at its weakest level in 4,5 years, while a PMI survey showed services sector activity expanded at its slowest rate in 17 months in December in the country.

Almost all Dow stocks in negative area (28 of 30). Top looser - Chevron Corporation (CVX, -3,88%). Top gainer - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT, +0.87%).

All S&P sectors also in negative area. Top looser - Basic Materials (-3,2%).

At the moment:

Dow 16870.00 -211.00 -1.24%

S&P 500 1988.75 -23.00 -1.14%

Nasdaq 100 4448.75 -35.00 -0.78%

Oil 34.42 -1.55 -4.31%

Gold 1087.70 +9.30 +0.86%

U.S. 10yr 2.20 -0.05