flash crash
n. An extremely rapid decline in the stock market.
Examples
2010
Malfunctioning algorithms, "flash crashes", and complex debt-laden companies have been highlighted by the corporate regulator in its review of the Australian Securities Exchange's supervisory capabilities.
—Stuart Washington, “Regulator runs rule over ASX capabilities,” The Age, December 01, 2010
2010
While individual investors have yanked more money out of U.S. stock mutual funds than they put in every week since the scary one-day "flash crash" 29 weeks ago, the pace of withdrawals is slowing.
—Adam Shell, “Some small investors buying stocks again,” USA Today, November 29, 2010
2007 (earliest)
Those of us old enough to remember the flash crash of October 1987 will recall that after some sharp down days the market rally was led and turned by an obscure Chicago futures Index.
—Bill Harcourt, “Fighting withdrawal,” Manly Daily, August 08, 2007
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