Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ have lost 10.2%, 10.6%, and 14.4% of their value since the peak. Here are the five worst explanations for the stock market plunge -- ranked from least bad to worst. "On September 30, the estimated earnings growth rate for Q4 2018 was 16.7%. For Q4 2018, 72 S&P 500 companies have issued negative EPS guidance and 32 S&P 500 companies have issued positive EPS guidance," according to FactSet. But recessions last on average 18 months and stocks usually start going back up once the recession looks like it's over.

Source: Forbes December 10, 2018 16:12 UTC