Black Monday 30 years on: How it happened and what can we learn?

Markets went into freefall

clock • 6 min read

Thursday marks the 30th anniversary of 'Black Monday', the biggest one-day fall in stockmarket history. Here, Schroders' fund managers look at what happened and how today's markets compare with 1987.

On 19 October 1987, global stockmarkets came crashing down amid worries about a slowing global economy and high stock valuations. The concerns were compounded by a computer glitch. In the space of 24 hours, stockmarkets in Asia, Europe and the US suffered falls of up to 23%. It was the biggest crash in living memory. In the US, the Dow Jones fell 22.6%, destroying the previous record one-day fall of 12.8% set during the Wall Street Crash of 28 October 1929. But with the help of central bankers, stockmarkets recovered. Five years after the event stockmarkets in the UK, Europe and th...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

'So, Sir Keir, if you're reading, I do genuinely hope Rachel is doing okay. And my number's still the same. So, you know, call me'

Laith Khalaf
clock 25 July 2025 • 5 min read
UK capital markets need to close gap between 'perception and reality' - Poppy Gustafsson

UK capital markets need to close gap between 'perception and reality' - Poppy Gustafsson

Speaking at IA annual conference

Sorin Dojan
clock 26 June 2025 • 2 min read
Trust in ONS data 'very low' as financial services shifts to alternative sources

Trust in ONS data 'very low' as financial services shifts to alternative sources

Follows latest inflation blunder

Sorin Dojan
clock 24 June 2025 • 4 min read