Skip to main content

Black Swan Theory

What is Black Swan Theory ?

The Black Swan Theory refers to a large-impact, tough-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations. The term Black Swan comes from the assumption that ‘All swans are white’. In that context, a black swan was a metaphor for something that could not exist or not possible.

The “Black Swan” theory refers to events of large consequence and their dominant role in history. Black Swan events are a special category of what is called outliers.

black swan theory

What has Black Swan theory got to do with Indian Markets?

The Indian Stock Markets hit the upper circuit of 10/15/20% in 2009,  an event which did not happen before. This is a Black Swan Event, a rare event – no one expected.  This is a Black Swan for the bears since markets have hit lower circuit many times before, but not the upper circuit.

Identifying a Black Swan Event.

1. The event is a surprise.
2. The event has a major impact.
3. After the fact, the event is rationalized by hindsight, as if it had been expected.

As of today, global markets including the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and  Nifty 50,  hitting all-time highs, any event that could bring down the markets could be a black swan event. No one knows what it is, until it happens!

Another example of a Black Swan Event – Your stock broker gives a buy call and it works  🙂

Popular posts from this blog

Historical Sensex Returns Updated - 2024

Historically Sensex has given returns of about 15% per year, despite volatility and price fluctuations of about -20% to +60%. The following table shows S&P BSE Sensex historical data - start  & close values and the yearly returns of the sensex from 2000 to 2024. So far during the year the   index has hit an all-time high of  75,124   and despite markets hitting all time highs not all stocks make all-time highs. There are many stocks still below their highs. Stocks like HDFC Bank, ITC, Asian paints are still well below their highs and some of them have given low returns over last 3-5 years. Individual or Retail investors can achieve consistent returns through investing via mutual funds , whether it be active or passive. Chasing returns from individual stocks is futile. Be a wise investor !

Walmart and Costco Selling Gold and Silver

Costco Wholesale and Walmart are both starting to sell gold bars. First, Costco sold gold bars to its members looking to invest in more than bulk household purchases. Now the warehouse retailer is selling silver coins too. Walmart has also started selling precious metals such as gold and silver in its online store, following in the footsteps of Costco Wholesale. Against the backdrop of high inflation, gold has become the new favorite of American consumers. The value of gold and silver is expected to continue to climb in 2024 on expectations that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates. Gold currently trades at $2255. Will Indian supermarkets sell gold?  Gold has been always been one of the favorite investments for Indians, as evident from the fact that Indian households hold over 21,000 tonnes of gold. Indians prefer to buy gold jewelry and this trend could change if Gold is sold in supermarkets. There are Gold ETFs and Sovereign Gold Bonds  (SGB) as well. Addi...