Japanese researchers detect patterns of stock fluctuations

TOKYO, Japan - A University of Tokyo research team led by Ken Kiyono said on Feb. 15 it has discovered a special pattern of stock index fluctuations before and after a market crash, a finding that could pave the way for detecting downside risks for the stock market. The team has analyzed minute fluctuations of the U.S. Standard & Poor's 500 index between 1984 and 1995 and found the special pattern, called critical regime, emerging in the September-December quarter of 1987 that included the Oct. 19 Black Monday crash. The graphic was provided by Ken Kiyono. (Kyodo)