
A stock market correction is a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security, asset, or financial market from its most recent peak. Corrections can happen to individual assets, like a stock or bond, or to an index like the S&P 500. They are typically triggered by a number of factors, including external crises, industry or economic sector failures, or a sense that the market is overheated. Corrections can last anywhere from days to months or even longer, and while they may be damaging in the short term, they can also provide buying opportunities for investors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A correction is a decline in the price of a security, asset, or financial market. |
| Decline Percentage | 10% or more but less than 20% |
| Duration | A few days to months or even longer. The average correction lasts between three and four months. |
| Causes | Large-scale macroeconomic shifts, problems in a company's management, overheated markets, external crises, or a particular industry or economic sector implosion. |
| Impact | Corrections can affect all equities, but some are hit harder than others. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in volatile sectors like technology are more vulnerable. |
| Buying Opportunity | Corrections can provide ideal buying opportunities for high-value assets at discounted prices. |
| Investor Strategy | Long-term investors are advised to stay the course and not pull money out of the market. |
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What You'll Learn
- A stock market correction is a 10% drop in the value of a stock index
- Corrections can happen to individual assets, like a stock or bond, or to an index
- Corrections are caused by a variety of factors, from macroeconomic shifts to company management issues
- Technical corrections occur when an asset or market gets overinflated
- Corrections are ideal for buying high-value assets at discounted prices

A stock market correction is a 10% drop in the value of a stock index
The stock market is inherently volatile, and corrections are a normal part of its ebb and flow. They can be caused by external crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic, or by industry-specific issues that ripple across the market, like the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000. Corrections can also occur when the market is perceived as "overheated," leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy of selling.
It's important to note that corrections are typically short-lived, lasting around three to four months on average. They can provide ideal buying opportunities, as they adjust overvalued asset prices. However, investors must carefully consider the risks, as the correction may continue to decline. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in volatile sectors, like technology, tend to be hit harder by corrections.
To predict and track corrections, investors, traders, and analysts use charting methods and technical analysis. They monitor price support and resistance levels to help determine when a reversal or consolidation may lead to a correction. Corrections can be a challenging yet potentially profitable time for investors who can identify the right opportunities.
It's worth noting that a sustained drop of 20% or more is considered a bear market, which is a separate phenomenon from a correction. Bear markets tend to be longer-lasting and are characterised by more significant declines in stock prices.
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Corrections can happen to individual assets, like a stock or bond, or to an index
A correction in the stock market is a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security from its most recent peak. Corrections can happen to individual assets, like an individual stock or bond, or to an index measuring a group of assets. For example, the S&P 500 fell by 10.13% from its mid-February high in 2024, entering a correction.
Corrections can also occur in specific sectors or industries, such as the technology sector, which tends to be more volatile and susceptible to market corrections. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in these sectors may be more strongly impacted by corrections. On the other hand, some sectors are more buffered, such as consumer staples stocks, which involve the production or retailing of necessities.
Market corrections can be triggered by various factors, including external crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic, or industry-specific issues, like the dot-com bubble burst in 2000. Sometimes, a correction may be caused by a sense that the market is "overheated," leading institutional investors to pull their money out, causing a ripple effect.
Technical corrections occur when an asset, or the entire market, becomes overinflated. Technical analysts use charting methods and tools like Bollinger Bands®, envelope channels, and trendlines to predict and track corrections. Corrections provide an opportunity to buy high-value assets at discounted prices, but investors must weigh the risks as prices may decline further.
While corrections can be damaging in the short term, they can also be positive, adjusting overvalued asset prices and creating buying opportunities. Corrections are typically short-lived, lasting around three to four months on average.
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Corrections are caused by a variety of factors, from macroeconomic shifts to company management issues
A correction in the stock market is typically defined as a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security, asset, or financial market from its most recent peak. Corrections can happen to individual assets, like a stock or bond, or to an index measuring a group of assets. They can last from days to months or even longer, with an average duration of around three to four months.
Investor sentiment, economic indicators, global politics, and breaking news all play a role in influencing corrections. A slowing or shrinking economy can also be a fundamental reason for corrections. Technical corrections occur when an asset or the entire market becomes overinflated, and analysts use charting methods to track changes over time. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in volatile sectors, like technology, tend to be more affected by corrections.
While corrections can be damaging in the short term, they can also provide an opportunity to buy high-value assets at discounted prices. However, investors must carefully consider the risks involved, as the correction may continue to decline. It's important for investors to have a financial plan and regularly review their risk tolerance to ensure they are prepared for potential downturns.
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Technical corrections occur when an asset or market gets overinflated
A stock market correction is generally defined as a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security from its most recent peak. Technical corrections, specifically, occur when an asset or the entire market gets overinflated. Technical analysts review price support and resistance levels to help predict when a reversal or consolidation may turn into a correction.
Analysts use charting to track changes over time in an asset, index, or market. Tools like Bollinger Bands®, envelope channels, and trendlines are used to determine where to expect price support and resistance levels. Before a market correction, individual stocks may be strong or even outperforming. However, during a correction period, individual assets frequently perform poorly due to adverse market conditions.
Corrections can create an ideal time to buy high-value assets at discounted prices. However, investors must still be cautious as there is a risk of further decline as the correction continues. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in volatile sectors, like technology, tend to be the most affected by corrections.
Market corrections can be triggered by a variety of factors, from external crises like the coronavirus pandemic to problems within a specific industry or economic sector. Corrections can also occur when the market is overheated, meaning stock valuations have gotten too high, causing institutional investors to pull their money out. While corrections can be damaging in the short term, they can also have a positive impact by adjusting overvalued asset prices and creating buying opportunities.
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Corrections are ideal for buying high-value assets at discounted prices
A stock market correction is a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security, asset, or financial market from its most recent peak. Corrections can occur in individual assets, such as stocks or bonds, or in an index measuring a group of assets. They can be triggered by various factors, including large-scale macroeconomic shifts, problems in company management, or a sense that the market is "overheated". Corrections can last from days to months or even longer, with an average duration of three to four months.
During a correction, individual assets often perform poorly due to adverse market conditions. This can create an ideal opportunity to purchase high-value assets at discounted prices. However, investors must carefully consider the risks involved, as the correction may continue to decline further. Corrections can be like a spider under your bed, scary but necessary. They help adjust overvalued asset prices and provide buying opportunities.
For example, during the 2008 financial crisis, the housing market crashed, resulting in a correction. Similarly, in March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic triggered a correction. In both cases, investors with a long-term outlook who bought during these corrections benefited from the subsequent market recoveries.
When the market enters a correction, it can be an opportune time to invest in high-value assets at discounted prices. However, it is crucial to carefully research and understand the risks involved. Creating a financial plan and reviewing your risk tolerance can help you make informed investment decisions during corrections. Corrections can be a golden opportunity for savvy investors who are willing to take calculated risks.
Additionally, it is important to remember that corrections are a normal part of the stock market's ebb and flow. Historically, there has been a 100% probability of experiencing a market correction within the next ten years. Corrections are often brief and mild, and all 28 corrections in the past 50 years have been erased by the subsequent bull market rally. Therefore, investors with a long-term horizon may benefit from staying invested and taking advantage of buying opportunities during corrections.
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Frequently asked questions
A correction in the stock market is a decline of 10% or more in the price of a security, asset, or financial market from its most recent peak. Corrections can happen to individual assets, like a stock or bond, or to an index like the S&P 500.
Corrections can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as external crises, industry or economic sector failures, or a sense that the market is "overheated". Large-scale macroeconomic shifts, problems in a company's management, and investor sentiment can also play a role.
Corrections can last anywhere from days to months or even longer. The average correction lasts around three to four months. However, some corrections can be brief, lasting less than two weeks, while others may turn into bear markets and last longer.
Corrections can affect all equities, but some sectors are hit harder than others. Small-cap, high-growth stocks in volatile sectors like technology tend to be impacted the most. Consumer staples stocks, on the other hand, tend to be more resilient as they involve necessities.

























