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We are less than two months into the worst recession since the Great Depression. More than 30 million people have lost their job, and the duration of the virus and the recession are unknowable, yet stocks are priced for perfection.

On Monday, the S&P 500 fell by 34% over the previous 23 trading days, which was the fastest 30% decline in market history. Market volatility has reached an unprecedented level, and daily price swings are among the largest in history. Last Monday, the S&P 500 dropped by 12%, which was its most significant daily decline since the 1987 crash. On Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied by 11%, which was its largest one day jump since 1933.

Financial markets crashed and the eleven-year bull market ended this week. Recessionary fears due to the coronavirus pandemic and Saudi Arabia’s oil price war led to panicked investors to dump stocks, bonds, and commodities. Price moves were exaggerated by a negative feedback loop created by illiquid financial markets and rising volatility.

After the Worst Week Since 2008, Stocks Were Mixed Despite an Emergency Rate Cut From the Fed

Stocks were mixed last week despite an emergency 0.50% interest rate reduction by the Fed. On Tuesday morning, the Federal Reserve announced a surprise 0.50% interest rate reduction to boost investor sentiment and ease financial conditions

Stocks had their worst week since the 2008 Financial Crisis, as investors reacted to the unexpected spread of the coronavirus throughout the globe. Fear that the virus’s spread would lead to a global recession led to an 11.5% plunge in the S&P 500 this week, while the10-Year U.S Treasury bond dropped by 0.34% to an all-time low yield of 1.12%. The decline this week erased nearly $3 trillion of market value from American companies.

The Intelligent Investor’s Market MemoFebruary 24th, 2020 Subscribe to the Intelligent Investor’s Market Memo ​ ​S&P 500 Rallied to an All-Time High as Fed Chairman Powell Assuaged Investor’s Fears This week, Fed Chairman Powell told Congress, “We are closely monitoring the emergence of the coronavirus, which could lead to disruptions in China that spill over to the …