Stock Market Crash of 1987

Paper Summary:

The writer of this well-researched paper compares the events of 1987 to those which occurred in 1926, which brought about the Great Depression. This paper examines the causes and consequences of the 1987 crash, while also discussing the policy responses to the event and its future implications. This paper analyzes the status of the stock market 5 years prior to the crash. From 1982-1987 the Dow Industrial Average had risen from 776 points in August 1982 to a record high of 2,722 points in August 1987. This paper delves into the warning signs that were evident, prior to the crash, yet were largely ignored, including a weakening U.S. dollar, a rising trade deficit, inflation and the first short term interest raise in 3 years by the Federal Reserve. The writer discusses how the crash not only affected the U.S. stock market, but markets around the world as well. This paper looks at the U.S. trade and budget deficits that rose steadily during the 1980s, which have also been blamed for the crash. This paper delves into how the Federal Reserve responded to the crash, while also examining the reform measures taken to prevent a similar disaster in the future.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background
An In-depth Look at the Crash
Causes of the Crash
Federal Reserve's Response
Reform Measures
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"In the wake of the crash of 87 many analysts, including a presidential task force, laid the blame for the decline squarely on portfolio insurance. As evidence, they quoted the fact that portfolio insurance alone accounted for 12% of the selling in stock and index futures markets on October 19, 1987. According to the "blame portfolio insurance" theory, portfolio insurers came to the Monday's opening armed with an overhang of unexecuted sell orders from the accelerating decline of the previous week and placed large sell orders to initiate the decline in the market. From then onwards, as the market declined further during the day, the sell orders by the portfolio insurers kept on increasing to cater for their back log. To make matters worse, other investors who were not familiar with portfolio insurance, saw the declining prices and assumed that the selling was based on fundamentals and joined the queue of sellers; thus perpetuating the vicious circle."

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