U.S. Stock Market Crash Prevention Mechanisms

Watching the European and Asian stock markets plunge this Monday and Tuesday (their time) prompted me to research what mechanisms are in place to prevent a market crash here in the U.S.

According to about.com the following mechanisms are in place:

- The market will halt trading for an hour if the Dow drops 10% before 2 pm.
- Trading will halt for two hours if there is a 20% drop in the Dow before 2 pm.
- If the Dow drops 30%, trading is halted for the day.

DOW futures are pointing to a 5%+ drop tomorrow morning. This is coming at the heels of market drops around 7-10% overseas.