Market Swings

Sioux Falls, SD

They're up and they're down. Everyday traders have to take a deep breath before they see which direction the stock market will take.  Instead of the exception, this seems to be the "new normal" for the market.

Lately, every day has been a wild ride on the stock market with price fluctuations of three to four percent. So what's behind all this volatility?

"The recent world history, what's going on in the world and the market downturn has made the markets real sensitive. Any little bit of news, there's a quick reaction," Financial Planner Tom Carson of Waddell & Reed said.

You can blame it in part on technology. News that affects the market used to take days for investors to hear; now it can take just minutes.

"The technical analysts in the market because of the speed and availability of the data, they can capture some opportunities. Although they can lose out on opportunities as well. All that is contributing to this craziness," Carson said.

But Carson is quick to point out that there's a difference between day traders and long term investors.

"Right now, people can't make irrational decisions based on how crazy the markets are right now. If you sit tight and allocate your investments properly and you find good people to manage your money for you, good stewards of your money, you'll be good long term," Carson said.

The New York Times looked at data showing the rise and fall during the trading day since 1962 through August of this year. Researchers found that price fluctuations of four percent or more are happening six times more often than they did before the year 2000.