An Investigation of the “Flash Crash” of 2010 using the principles of behavioral finance

Table of Contents

Abstract

Acknowledgement

List of Abbreviations

Chapter 1: Introduction
Structure of the paper

Chapter 2: Literature Review
Behavioral Finance
Major Literature
Status quo bias
Transitory Components
Utility Hypothesis is questioned
Gender as a factor in decision making
Behavior of Individual Investors
Feedback Theories
Two types of Investors: Smart Money Vs. Ordinary Investors
The Need for Behavioral Finance
Events leading up to the crash
Flash Crash 2010: a brief summary
Net Result of Flash Crash

Chapter 3: Research Question and framework
Research questions
Question 1: Which theories explain the Flash Crash?
Question 2: Which Companies?
Question 3: Circuitbreakers

Chapter 4: Research Methodology
Objective of the research
Research Protocol
How research questions were answered?
Strength of association
Materials Used
How materials were prepared
Data Collection
Types of data
Justification of study’s design
Establishing Rigor

Chapter 5: Analysis of Reasons for Flash Crash 2010
Large Directional Betting/Trading
Changes in Market structure resulting in the decentralization of trading
Influence of HFT
Herd Mentality
High frequency traders and their contribution
Order flow Toxicity Metric
Technological Glitches

Chapter 6: Interpretation of Results
Can proposed reasons adequately explain event
How do these possible explanations differ form traditional finance explanations

Chapter 7: Conclusion
Lessons learned
Can financial instruments/regulations prevent future crisis?
Circuit breakers
Recommendations
Future Research

References