Introduction
Most market environments operate somewhere between optimism and pessimism.
Participants hold differing opinions.
Expectations vary.
Uncertainty remains present.
However, there are periods when emotions become unusually intense.
Confidence becomes overwhelming.
Fear becomes widespread.
The market's emotional environment shifts from normal sentiment to sentiment extremes.
These extremes often attract attention because they can influence participation, behaviour, expectations, and market structure.
Two of the most commonly discussed emotional extremes are:
- Euphoria
- Panic
Understanding these conditions can help participants better appreciate how emotions influence markets and why behaviour sometimes becomes exaggerated.
