COVID crash (2020)

Geschichteab 9 J.

The fastest stock market crash in history: in March 2020 the DAX fell 40% in 4 weeks. But also the fastest recovery – the losses had been recouped after 5 months.

When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in March 2020, stock markets crashed at record speed.

The figures:

• DAX: from 13,800 to 8,400 points (−40% in 4 weeks)
• S&P 500: from 3,400 to 2,200 points (−34%)
• Oil price: temporarily fell to −$37 per barrel (you had to PAY to take it)

The recovery: thanks to massive stimulus packages and central bank measures, markets recovered astonishingly quickly. The DAX was back at its pre-crash level by November 2020 – after just 5 months.

The lesson: anyone who sold in the panic of March 2020 missed the fastest recovery in stock market history. Those who held on or even bought more profited enormously. Stay invested for the long term – even when it hurts.

Did you know? On 9 March 2020, trading on the New York Stock Exchange was halted automatically (“circuit breaker”) – this happens when the S&P 500 falls more than 7% in a day. For the first time since 2008.

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