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THE DANGERS OF RUSHING FOR THE EXITS

Great reading here from NYU on the implications of running for the exits during a panic.  It’s a bit wonkish, but well worth a read.

The dangers of shouting fi re in a crowded theater are well understood, but the dangers of rushing to the exit in the fi nancial markets are more complex.  Yet, the two events share several features, and I analyze why people crowd into theaters and trades, why they run, what determines the risk, whether to return to the theater or trade when the dust settles, and how much to pay for assets (or tickets) in light of this risk. These theoretical considerations shed light on the recent global liquidity crisis and, in particular, the quant event of 2007.


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