Dow futures took a sharp plunge on Wednesday: 5 things to know before Wall Street opens

Core Viewpoint - The US government has entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years, leading to significant declines in stock futures, particularly affecting market sentiment across major indices [1] Group 1: Market Reaction - Dow futures dropped by 230 points, indicating a negative market response to the government shutdown [1] - S&P 500 futures fell by 50 points, reflecting widespread unease among investors [1] - Nasdaq futures experienced a sharper decline, plummeting over 180 points, highlighting increased volatility in tech stocks [1]