Does The Market Go To 1?

Abstract

In periods of market turmoil, it can often be heard that the “market goes to 1,” usually implying that all investment choices are moving in the same direction (down). This paper looks to test whether or not this is actually the case. From firsthand experience, anyone who has an interest in the topic will undoubtedly say it feels like that is happening, so this paper looks to put some evidence behind what is thought. After relaxing many characteristics that would be present in a market going to 1, this paper employed two tests. The results of the tests indicate that it is possible, however unlikely, that the market actually goes to 1.