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Econophysicists Develop and Test "Bubble Index"

eldavojohn writes "Oh if only we could identify the bubble markets as they appear, but with all the random variables, it would take some sort of econophysicist to build predictions for that! Well, a team has released a definition of a 'bubble index' that led them to make predictions of bubbles six months ago that would pop between then and now. The four bubbles they selected were the IBOVESPA Index of 50 Brazilian stocks, a Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Index, the spot price of gold, and cotton futures. Two out of the four were bubbles, with Merrill Lynch being a bubble already popping and cotton continuing to soar into even bubblier status. Still, for your first try, 50% isn't bad. The team learned a lot of new things from the first run, revised their method, selected their predictions for the next six months, and sealed them. Only time will tell if they are truly onto predicting crashes."

4 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. An economist ... by w0mprat · · Score: 3, Funny

    is someone who sees something that works in practice and wonders if it would work in theory. - Ronald Reagean

    --
    After logging in slashdot still does not take you back to the page you were on. It's been that way for 20 years.
  2. Next bubble by mysidia · · Score: 3, Funny

    Could be a 'bubbles' bubble.

    Due to irrational exuberance in the bubbles index, and investors massively buying up the bubbles indexes in anticipation of a bubble.

  3. Re:50% isn't bad? by oddTodd123 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can I mod myself -1, Dumbass?

  4. Econowitch by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 2, Funny

    Witches: Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
    Investor: Am I destined to be king?
    Witches: Meh. We give it 50/50.