Now what? Following up on the stock market turmoil

August 25, 2015

Share this article:

The Federal Reserve. Photo via Wikimedia Commons user AgnosticPreachersKid.

Stock market woes are far from over. While the New York Stock Exchange recovered from its initial 1,000 point dive on Monday, it still wound up losing 558 points.

That marked the third significant loss in a row. And, if global markets remain volatile, U.S. markets most likely will be, too.

Here are some ideas to help you plan followup coverage.

1) It’s not 2008.

That’s an important point, because many reporters only have comparisons with the Great Recession to go by. As Kai Ryssdal of Marketplace points out,

Where we are today is nowhere near the hyper-leveraged, credit-bubblicious place we were at when Lehman Brothers went under.

The economy may not be strong, but it’s better than things were in 2008. Check the conditions in your city and help your audience understand how things are different in 2015.

2) Next up: interest rates. 

Everyone has been waiting for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Fed chair Janet Yellen has said she wants to see data about the economy before the subject comes up.

You can talk to local economists and see what they think Yellen will do now. Be sure to examine both sides of what a rate hike, or steady rates might mean.

3) Don’t panic. 

Nobody should invest in the stock market if they can’t afford to lose the money. Likewise, business experts say you need nerves of steel at times like these. It’s an important time to reassure your audience.

Author

  • Micheline Maynard

    Micheline is a contributing columnist at the Washington Post concentrating on business and culture. She has written about flooding in Detroit, tainted water in Benton Harbor, nationwide shortages of restaurant staff, and vaccine hesitancy.

More Like This...

Woman holding head in frustration in front of stock chart

SPACs: Not living up to the hype

The prospect of a company going public can be exhilarating, for journalists as well as company founders. Businesses are able to raise capital for expansion

Two Minute Tips

Sign up now.
Get one Tuesday.

Every Tuesday we send out a quick-read email with tips for business journalism.

Subscribers also get access to the Tip archive.

Search

Get Two Minute Tips For Business Journalism Delivered To Your Email Every Tuesday

Two Minute Tips

Every Tuesday we send out a quick-read email with tips for business journalism. Sign up now and get one Tuesday.

Our free eBook has gotten a makeover!
It now has expanded topics and downloadable chapters.