Mumbai, March 31 -- The tech-heavy Nasdaq posted a particularly steep loss, plunging 481.04 points or 2.7%. The S&P 500 also tumbled 112.37 points or 2.0% to 5,580.94, while the Dow slumped 715.80 points or 1.7% to 41,583.90.

Commerce Department report showed consumer prices increased in line with economist estimates, core consumer prices rose by slightly more than expected. It's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose by 0.3% in February, matching the increases seen in the two previous months as well as economist estimates. The annual rate of growth by the PCE price index was 2.5% in February, unchanged from January and in line with expectations. the report said the core PCE price index which excludes food and energy pr...