Dow Jones Industrial Average Surrenders 611; VIX Soars 49%

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spiraled out of the gate -- and never looked back -- as stocks around the globe reacted to the "Brexit" bombshell. At its session low, the Dow was down more than 650 points, with vulnerable bank stocks leading the path lower. By the time the dust mercifully settled, both the Dow and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) had erased their year-to-date gains to settle at their lowest points since March. Elsewhere, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), or the market's "fear gauge," closed at its highest perch since mid-February.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Why this retailer bucked the "Brexit" bust.
• What this history-making volatility move could mean for stocks.
• Why investors think this sector is as safe as gold.
  
• Plus... Why Scotland could be the next domino to fall, durable goods decline, and crude oil takes a nosedive.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,399.86) took a hard hit, losing 611.2 points, or 3.4%. Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) lost the most among the 30 Dow decliners, tumbling 7.1%. For the week, the Dow was down 1.6%.

 The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,037.30) ended the day down 3.6%, or 76 points. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,707.98) saw a loss of 202.1 points, or 4.1%. Week-over-week, the SPX lost 1.7%, while the COMP surrendered 1.9%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX – 25.76) skyrocketed 8.5 points, or 49.3%, for its highest finish since Feb. 11. On a weekly basis, the VIX gained 32.7%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. British Prime Minister David Cameron resigned after "Brexit" results, and Scotland's place in the U.K. may be called into question. (CNN)
2. Long-lasting factory orders fell much more than expected in May, according to the Commerce Department. Specifically, durable goods plunged 2.2% amid a decline in defense aircraft orders, compared to the 0.5% drop economists had expected. (CNBC)
3. Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:CSIQ) has more to worry about than just the "Brexit" vote.
4. A pair of price-target cuts kept this airline grounded.
5. Why these 2 energy stocks could rebound after the "Brexit" blow.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

August-dated crude futures fell 4.9%, or $2.47, to $47.64 per barrel. The "Brexit" surprise overshadowed the domestic rig count, which declined for the first time in a month. For the week, oil ended down 0.7%.

August-dated gold shot up $59.30, or 4.7%, to $1,322.40 per ounce -- its highest settlement since July 2014 -- as investors made a beeline to "safe haven" assets after the "Brexit" vote. Week-over-week, the precious metal gained 2.1%.