Does Mimicking behavior lead to market crashes?

In this model by Capital Fund Management (www.cfm.fr), high levels of copying behavior leads to bubbles and then crashes.  This is regardless of positive or negative news stories.

Graph of mimicking research

Although only a mathematical model, this is interesting to me.  The key here is the definition of low vs high level of copying behavior.  If an inflection points exists for copying behavior, then what is that inflection point and how does it reflect itself in the market.  For example, can large changes in volume or open interest reflect mimicking behavior? Or do you need to look at  bid volume on the upside or short lending on the downside?

Again, just a mathematical model, but another sign that clustering behavior is an important aspect of modeling.

About Seth Berlin

Seth Berlin is Principal at Performance Thinking & Technologies (PTT). PTT is a consulting firm that focuses on operations, reporting, and risk management for hedge funds and investors. Seth has many years in the investment industry from an investment analyst, operational, and technology management perspective. He can be reached at www.p-t-t.com or at info@p-t-t.com.
This entry was posted in Not Categorized and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Does Mimicking behavior lead to market crashes?

  1. Pingback: HedgeCo.Net | Hedge Fund Blogs | Random Weekend Links

Leave a Reply