Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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Stock Market Crashes

1-14 out of 14 results.
Financial MarketsRecessionsAsset classes, asset class returnsStock market crashesInternational sharesAustralian shares
125 reasons NOT to invest! ‘This time is different’ – or is it?

It's that time of year again - time to review a whole new year of possible threats, risks, and crises that might blow up share markets.  What are the big risks that might spook investors in 2025? How share markets power through even the greatest crises the world has ever faced. 

Ashley Owen Jan 14, 2025 2
Financial MarketsInternational sharesStock market crashesRetirement planning
2020s decade half-time score – US shares: great so far, but expect a decade of pain when boom ends

At the half-way mark for the decade, US shares are doing well above average. The current speculative boom is similar to the 1920s and 1990s - but they were both followed by a decade of NEGATIVE total returns in the 1930s and 2000s when the booms collapsed.  Markets don't crash because or when they're expensive. The current boom may run on for years yet. 

Ashley Owen Dec 23, 2024 9
Australian shares Asset classes, asset class returnsStock market crashesInvestment bubbles/busts, cycles
We're half-way through the 2020s decade! Here's the half-time score check on Aussie shares

The decade half-time score check for the Aussie share market is not that good: Aussie shares are having a below-average decade so far (and below other markets eg the US). It has been below average all decade – after a poor start with the 2020 Covid lockdowns. But all is not lost – some past decades also started out slow but ended up with good full decade returns. There is plenty of time left this decade for the next big speculative boom to lift the share market – history is on our side!    

Ashley Owen Dec 16, 2024
CommoditiesAustralian shares International sharesWars & military conflictsStock market crashes
World War II & share markets – Part 2 of 2: Through to the end of the War and aftermath

Key points: Australian and US share markets did well overall, despite heavy loss of life and attacks on our home soil. Volatile ride for shareholders, but patient holders ahead. Generally good for shares overall, limited only by war-time controls on profits and share prices.  

Ashley Owen Oct 10, 2024
CommoditiesInternational sharesWars & military conflictsAustralian shares Stock market crashes
World War II & share markets – Part 1 of 2: the Outbreak

War is scary, so it is tempting for investors to panic and race for the exits.  It's important to look beyond the media headlines - knee-jerk, herd-following reactions are usually wrong.  Usually positive for commodities demand, prices, mining shares.

Ashley Owen Oct 10, 2024
Stock market crashesInvestment bubbles/busts, cyclesAustralian shares Financial Markets
‘Worst’ days on the ASX? (" . . . THAT’s a knife!”)

After my story on Monday pointing out that the -3.8% fall on the ASX was relatively minor and there have been dozens of worse days on the ASX - many people asked me what those 'big' down days  were, so here they are. What were the really bad days on the Australian share market? What caused them? How do they compare to the worst days on Wall Street? Are share markets really 'random' like finance theory claims?  

Ashley Owen Aug 08, 2024
Stock market crashes
BIG days on Australian share market – but how bad was it?

Today was the worst day on the local Australian share market for 4 years. But how bad was it really? What should investors do about it? Is it time to panic sell? How markets are not random like finance textbooks suggest How these are the times that make or break investors  

Ashley Owen Aug 05, 2024
Stock market crashesInternational sharesAsset classes, asset class returns
Margin Lending boom-bust signal of share market over-confidence - Not flashing red yet

  I have never used or recommended margin lending, but margin lending volumes are a great barometer of boom-bust cycles. Where are we now in the cycle? Are we near the top of the market?

Ashley Owen Apr 28, 2024
Investment bubbles/busts, cyclesInternational sharesStock market crashes
Not all world share markets are hitting new highs. Here are the Pretty Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Most world share markets are hitting new highs this year, but some are not Here they are - the Pretty Good, the Bad, and the Ugly How does your country rate?

Ashley Owen Apr 05, 2024 2
Stock market crashesWars & military conflictsInvestment bubbles/busts, cyclesInternational sharesAustralian shares Asset classes, asset class returnsRecessionsRetirement planning
124 Reasons NOT to invest! - This time is different - or is it?

Every year there are ‘End of the world’, or ‘End of life as we know it’ crises and threats that scare investors into waiting and watching from the sidelines, but share markets have always seemed to power through them. Are the current batch of threats and fears different this time?

Ashley Owen Jan 17, 2024
Stock market crashesInvestment bubbles/busts, cyclesRecessionsAustralian economyFinancial MarketsEconomics
Why do share markets crash? – Part B: Update on Australia

The simple answer is that the Australian share market crashes (and rebounds) because, and when, the US market does. The US is the largest and most influential market that affects all global markets, asset classes, and investors. What happens on our local market is almost always driven by what happens on Wall Street (with rare exceptions like 1907 and 1951), regardless of local conditions, events, or pricing.

Ashley Owen Nov 27, 2023
Australian shares RecessionsAustralian economyFinancial MarketsEconomicsStock market crashes
Why do share markets crash? – A: Update on the US

Recessions do NOT cause or trigger share market sell-offs. Nor do share markets crash because, or when, they become expensive. Share markets fall when shareholders en masse suddenly start to expect imminent big cuts to profits and dividends.

Ashley Owen Nov 23, 2023
Investment bubbles/busts, cyclesAustralian economyPopulation, demographics, immigrationStock market crashes
Australia v US share markets – it’s our turn next!

Australia and the US have had the best share markets in the world for the past 100+ years, but: Why? Which market has generated higher returns? Which has had the bigger booms and busts? Who’s turn is it next?  

Ashley Owen Nov 20, 2023
Stock market crashesInvestment bubbles/busts, cyclesAustralian shares Recessions
ASX reporting season in 4 charts - $40b wiped off profits! - where did it go, and why?

August is the main full-year reporting season for Australian listed companies, as most companies have June reporting years. For ASX100 companies that reported their June full-year results in August, total profits fell by one third from $116b to $76b.

Ashley Owen Sep 01, 2023

‘For many years, Ashley has been my go-to source of information and analysis on what’s going on in financial markets and why.’

“Ashley has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the markets – I call him Mr Google!”

Noel Whittaker, AM – Australia’s best-known personal finance writer, columnist, and media commentator for the past three decades. He has written more than 20 books on personal finance, his columns appear in almost every major Australian newspaper, and he appears regularly on radio and TV as an expert on finance and investing. Noel Whittaker AM

“Ashley’s unique fact-based analyses and insights into Australian and global markets are always worth reading. He has an incredibly deep and comprehensive store of financial markets data.”

Chris Cuffe, AO – One of Australia’s best known and most experienced investment managers – former CEO of industry giants Colonial First State, then Challenger Financial; founder and Chair of Australian Philanthropic Services, and Third Link Growth Fund; current/former chair, director and/or investment committee member of numerous funds including UniSuper, Argo Investments, Hearts and Minds Investments, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and many others. Read more.

“Over the past 20 years, Ashley has been an invaluable assistance to me, as a reliable source of unbelievably strong and interesting data, and many good investment ideas.”

"The depth and quality of Ashley’s research and analysis of investment markets is the best in the business.”

Dr Don Stammer - Australia’s most respected economic writer, commentator, and speaker for the past 40 years, with a distinguished career including the Reserve Bank of Australia, Chief Economist at Deutsche Bank Australia for 21 years, chair of nine ASX companies, plus numerous non-listed and not-for-profit boards. Read more

“Ashley is one of the best writers and thinkers on financial markets in Australia. His unique analysis and research is always fact-based and insightful, not the usual uninformed market noise and waffle that infects the mainstream financial media.”

Graham Hand - Editorial Director of Morningstar Australia, including Founder/Managing Editor of FirstLinks, Australia’s leading newsletter and publishing service on wealth management, superannuation, and personal finance.

 

“What sets Ashley Owen’s analysis apart from investment banks and the financial press is his deep fact-based understanding of long-term financial data, rather than getting caught up on the daily noise over issues that may generate trades or sell newspapers today, but will be irrelevant and misleading two years from now.” 

Hugh Dive, CFA. Chief Investment Officer, Atlas Funds Management, and frequent expert commentator quoted in the AFR.

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The information contained in this document relates to historical, factual events and returns, and contains general commentary and observations about financial markets, asset classes, and asset allocation. This document, or any part thereof, does not, and is not intended to, constitute investment advice, or financial advice, or financial product advice, in any jurisdiction in which it is published, re-published or read. It does not recommend, encourage, or influence readers to buy, hold, sell, or deal in any financial product or security. Where securities of financial products are mentioned, it is purely for the purposes of illustration, context, and/or education, and not intended to influence anyone to buy, hold, sell, or deal in it. The information is current when written. All reasonable measures are taken to ensure its accuracy at the time of publication, but the author accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. This document is only provided to, and intended for, holders of Australian Financial Services Licences. It should not be used or relied upon by any person or entity other than a duly licenced AFSL holder, or authorised representative thereof. The author receives no benefit, financial or otherwise, from any product provider, or product issuer, or any other firm involved directly or indirectly in the provision or services in or to financial markets or industries, whether mentioned in the report or not. Any opinions expressed by the author are his alone, and are intended for the purposes of education.