On August 5, 2024, the global stock markets experienced a significant downturn, with the Dow Jones industrial average dropping by 2.6% and the Nasdaq Composite decreasing by 3.43%. Japan's Nikkei 225 saw a dramatic 12.4% drop, partially reversed with a 10.2% rebound. This marked the worst day since the Black Monday crash in 1987.
A similar trend was seen in the European markets, with the UK's FTSE 100 and other major indices experiencing significant drops. Indian stock markets mirrored a similar sentiment, with BSE Sensex plummeting by 2.74% and the Nifty 50 falling by 2.68%, with a recovery of Sensex 1046 points, and Nifty with a recovery of 315 points on subsequent days.
The interconnected nature of the international financial markets was evident with the decline across worldwide stock markets. Many stocks are trading at a discount, investors are nervous, and traders are unsure of their decision. The stock performance of top companies was significantly affected. Apple, the world’s largest public company, and the stock of companies with investments in artificial intelligence, like Nvidia, were impacted.
The Magnificent Seven bands of tech giants – including Alphabet, owner of Google and YouTube; Amazon; Microsoft; Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp; and Tesla were all impacted.
The American central bank is reassuring markets that the USA is not in recession. Investors expressed their shift to safety with investments moving from stocks to bonds. Still, the investors feel America is in recession, and sentiments triggered stock market seesaw movements. Weak economic data, investor sentiments, policy tensions, sector-specific reforms, slow hiring, rising unemployment, and exacerbated fears of recession led to volatility and widespread market decline. Since March of 2022, the Federal Bank of America has raised interest rates multiple times, reaching a range of 5.25% to 5.50%, a 23-year high.
The United States has been experiencing high inflation, reaching a record high of 9%, the highest in 40 years. In response, the Federal Reserve increased interest rates to combat inflation. Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive, which reduces consumer and business spending. This decrease in demand helps to bring inflation under control by slowing down the rate at which prices rise. The Federal Reserve plans to loosen monetary policy and cut interest rates as inflation rates have decreased. They aim to make this decision in September, although market experts and investors advocate for an immediate interest rate cut.
Many Americans feel that the economy is in a recession and anticipate it will take 2 to 3 years to recover.
Recent market volatility is driven more by speculative sentiments than an economic disaster. The market seesaw movement is temporary, though it could cause short-term volatility; investors must not panic, display a herd mentality, or make impulsive decisions. They must have a long-term perspective, which is crucial for navigating such market conditions. The situation warrants an asset portfolio review, reiterating the importance of diversification across asset classes and sectors to mitigate risks.
Dr Mythli Kolluru
The author is a National-Level Award-Winning Outstanding Women Educator and Scholar in Strategic Management. She is an assistant professor at the marketing and management department of the College of Banking and Financial Studies in Muscat and a member of Knowledge Oman.
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