The end of the current stock market bubble has been predicted since the mid 1990s , yet it goes on and on. Eventually, an event occurs that acts as a crash catalyst, a pin that pricks the bubble. The event presents investors with stark and conclusive evidence that the source of fuel for the speculation is about to be cut off. Buyers of stocks at lower prices will quickly outnumber buyers of stocks at higher prices. In a financial bubble, this tends to happen swiftly as investors, each knowing they are part of a mass speculation yet believing they alone will get out in time with their profits, suddenly discover that their belief is exactly the same as that held majority of fellow speculators, who then all rush for the exits at the same time.
Prices collapse with breathtaking speed.
It is an awesome event. Within weeks, prices collapsed. Investors were left with tulip bulbs valued at only a few cents each. After all, that's what they were worth. For many careless Internet stock investors, when the Internet stock mania is over they will have little more than a nearly worthless stock certificate to show for their investments.