Market Panic: Wild Gyrations, Risks, and Opportunities in Stock Markets

A comprehensive, jargon-free study of the stock market panic phenomenon, perfect for laypeople and insiders alike.

“At a time of deep stock market gloom, when the investment professionals have run out of answers and small investors have been panicked into submission, Stephen Vines’ commendably cool analysis is to be welcomed. . . . Recommended to anybody interested in investment in the long term.” —The Sunday Times (UK)

Stock market panics will always be around. When the stock exchange first reopened after the tragedy of September 11, investors lined up to sell shares and the ticker steadily fell. Journalist Stephen Vines was certain the market would recover, but he wondered why—Why are stocks regularly gripped by these crashes? What causes them? And are markets becoming more prone to panics?

In Market Panic, Vines provides some unusual answers to these questions. He examines the behavior of markets, especially under pressure, and elucidates how investors can predict and plan for busts, as well as profit from them. Vines breaks down the types of panics and the nature of the panic cycle. He also presents an insider’s account of what occurs when panics break out, thanks to interviews with professionals who were directly involved in handling major stock crises. Finally, Vines looks at how stock markets are breaking free of the companies and economies they are meant to represent, and how this is creating a dangerous new instability within the exchanges system.

Whether you are an investor looking to preserve your money or a market professional, Market Panic can help prepare you for the next time the ticker begins to fall.

“Market Panic is a reassuring book. Vines takes the usual financial advisor’s caveat ‘what goes up must come down’ and turns it on its head. Armed with this book we should be happily looking forward to the next panic.” —The Economist

“The contrarian’s manifesto: a much needed primer on how to think about markets . . . the next time you get a stock tip at a party, ignore and read this book.” —The Wall Street Journal Asia

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Release date

Ebook: 5 August 2025