Economic Growth In The 1970's

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From the close of trading on Tuesday, October 13, 1987 to the close of trading on Monday, October 19th, which was later known as ‘Black Monday’, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 30.7% or 769 points. Overall in those four days of trading the value of all outstanding United States stock loss roughly $1.0 trillion in value (Brady Report, 5). While a monetary loss of this magnitude seems alarming to most, what raised primary concern by market aficionados and government regulators alike was the speed in which prices fell and the inherent trading weaknesses brought to light from the crash. This paper will further analyze the 1987 crash and the events that surrounded it, as well as address measures taken by the government and the market …show more content…

Compared to the bear-recessionary market experienced in the 70’s, the period from 1982 to 1987 was met with economic growth and strong market performance. The policies implemented under Reagan, sought to cut taxes, deregulate the market, and contain inflation (Mitchell, Heritage). In turn, these policies helped to spur economic growth throughout the United States and resulted in the largest peacetime American economic boom in history (Mitchell, Heritage). Great Expansion policies, as well as an influx of new investors in the market, such as pension funds, helped instill confidence in the market and resulted in the Dow rising more than 144% from 777 points in 1982 to 1,896 in 1987 (Brady Report, 9). Stocks continued to rise well into 1987, with the Dow reaching a high of 2,722 points in August (Carlson, …show more content…

During this two-year period, the market was extremely bullish rising from about 1,500 points in 1986 to roughly 2,750 in 1987. This growth was primarily fueled by low interest rates, takeovers, leveraged buyouts, and mergers, all of which many executives believed would help bring growth to their companies (Colombo). Companies would fund their expansionary views by partaking in leveraged buyouts, in which they would raise a massive amount of capital by selling junk bonds to the public or by raising capital through initial public offerings

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