BAJAJ BROKING

Notification close image
No new Notification messages
card image
Seshaasai Technologies Ltd IPO
Apply for the Seshaasai Technologies Ltd IPO through UPI in Just minutes
delete image
card image
Start your SIP with just ₹100
Choose from 4,000+ Mutual Funds on Bajaj Broking
delete image
card image
Open a Free Demat Account
Pay ZERO maintenance charges for the first year, get free stock picks daily, and more.
delete image
card image
Trade Now, Pay Later with up to 4x
Never miss a good trading opportunity due to low funds with our MTF feature.
delete image
card image
Track Market Movers Instantly
Stay updated with real-time data. Get insights at your fingertips.
delete image

What is Capitulation in Finance?

When investors give in to what the market wants, that's capitulation. Prices keep going down, people get frustrated, and a lot of people decide to sell even if they lose money. It doesn't feel like just another drop; it feels like a breaking point, like a lot of people are leaving.

Many times, the change happens really quickly. Giving up hope. People lose faith when trade volumes rise, prices fall faster, and prices fall. At these situations, what you feel is more important than what you think. After that, things usually change. In finance, giving up means not knowing what will happen next.

Example of Capitulation

Think of having a stock that keeps going down, like 10% and then 15%. You wait for things to get better. It doesn't show up. You finally sell to get rid of the stress. That choice, which was more about being tired than thinking it through, is to give up.

Now make it bigger in every market. A lot of people act the same way. Prices go down even more as more people buy, and people's attitudes get worse. When the S&P 500 lost money in 2020 and the crypto market lost money in 2021, it was evident that a lot of people were selling in a panic.

Causes of Capitulation in Financial Markets

There is usually more than one reason for capitulation. It builds up till it can't handle it anymore.

  • Bear Markets: Prices stay low for a long time, which makes people lose their patience and get scared.

  • Horrible Earnings Reports: Investors get afraid and depart immediately away when they see two bad reports in a row.

  • Macroeconomic News: People frequently sell a lot when there is macroeconomic news, like rising interest rates, inflation, or tensions around the world.

  • Negative Headlines: People quit a company or industry faster when they continually getting bad news.

  • Technical Breakdowns: When support or oversold RSI levels are broken, traders should sell.

Sometimes, it's the mix of fear, evidence, and momentum that makes the difference.

Characteristics of Market Capitulation

There are a few clear signals that someone is giving up.

  • Heavy Selling Volume: A lot of people are leaving when there are a lot of sell orders.

  • Quick Price Drops: The drops look worse than what the basics say they should be.

  • Weak Market Sentiment: People cease believing, and talks become ugly when the market is weak.

  • No Buyers Stepping In: There are no buyers coming in. Even those who buy when prices go down are holding back, which makes prices drop.

  • Oversold Technical Signals: If the RSI is below 30 or there are reversal patterns, it means that the market is tired.

All of these things together make the turmoil that investors call surrender.

Impact of Capitulation on Investors and Markets

The affects are different depending on how you look at them.

  • Short-Term Traders: When they find out they've lost money right before the market goes back up, they usually get afraid and leave.

  • Long-Term Investors: Long-term investors frequently see significant drops as good periods to buy, but it's hard to know when they will come back.

  • Market Overall: Capitulation causes people change their minds and get rid of inferior positions.

  • Liquidity: The amount of money that comes in and goes out changes a lot, but it always settles down again.

When investors realise what surrender implies, they can better understand what's going on.

Additional Read: What is Market Capitulation?

How to Identify Capitulation: Key Indicators

It's hard to see capitulation as it happens, but looking for patterns can help.

  • Volume Surge: Trading picks up unexpectedly, especially while prices are falling.   It means that a lot of people who hold equities want to sell them all at once.

  •  Prices Drop Quickly: Prices drop quickly, usually without any news that is easy to see.   People sell because of how they feel, not because of what they know.

  •  Bearish Mood: The mood gets worse. A lot of people say things like "the market's broken" or "there's no bottom."

  • Technical Signals: If you see a candlestick pattern like the Hammer or Shooting Star, it could suggest that there is too much selling pressure.

  •  RSI Below 30: When momentum indicators like RSI fall below 30, it means that prices are under a lot of stress.

  •  Rebound After the Drop: If prices go up swiftly after going down quickly, it could mean that many sellers are already gone.

When all of these signals point in the same way, it could mean that capitulation is happening.

Strategies for Investors During Capitulation

To answer well, you need to be able to think clearly.

  • Pause Before Acting: Don't do anything right immediately because you're angry. First, take a rest.

  • Check Risk Exposure: You can avoid big losses by spreading out your investments.

  • Use Technical Clues: If you see signs of overselling, it could mean that things are getting better.

  • Watch Volume Trends: If there are surges followed by quiet, it means people are tired.

  • Re-enter Slowly: Go back in slowly; don't go all the way back in at once.

  • Stick to Your Plan: Don't let short-term problems make you forget about your long-term goals.

When things get very crazy, investors can keep cool if they grasp what surrender is.

Conclusion

You give up when fear takes over reason. When investors know what surrender is, they might not be surprised by these bad times; instead, they might see them as patterns in how the market reacts.

The markets go through cycles. Giving up could mean that the worst is over, but it doesn't indicate that things will get better. Paying attention to the symptoms, being patient, and sticking to your plan are usually the good ways to get through hard times.

Share this article: 

Published Date : 10 Jul 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

No result found

search icon
investment-card-icon

Volatility Arbitrage

Volatility arbitrage helps traders profit from gaps between implied and actual volatility. Understand how the strategy works along with its benefits and risks.

investment-card-icon

Diluted EPS

Diluted EPS shows a company’s earnings per share after considering all convertible securities. Understand its meaning, formula, importance, and benefits.

investment-card-icon

ADR and GDR

ADR (American Depository Receipt) and GDR (Global Depository Receipt) allow foreign companies to list their shares in the U.S. and other global markets. Learn the differences.

investment-card-icon

How to Read a Candlestick Chart

Candlestick Chart helps spot trends with bullish & bearish patterns. Know market signals, body, wicks & colors to enhance your trading strategy.

investment-card-icon

Odd Lot Theory

Odd Lot Theory studies trades below 100 shares to gauge market trends. Learn its key assumptions, real-world uses, and relevance in today’s stock market.

investment-card-icon

What are Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

Get insights into Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in India, including their types, role in the economy, and details about the largest PSU in the country.

investment-card-icon

What is Share Warrant

A share warrant allows investors to buy company shares at a fixed price in the future. Learn how it works, its key types, and why companies issue them.

investment-card-icon

Underlying Asset

An underlying asset is the real financial instrument on which a derivative derives its value. It can be a stock, bond, commodity, index, or currency in the market.

investment-card-icon

How to Calculate SIP Returns

SIP returns are calculated differently from one-time investments. Each SIP needs separate evaluation. Read on to understand how SIP return calculation works

investment-card-icon

Broad Market Indices

Broad-market indices include major liquid stocks on the Exchange. They act as benchmarks to gauge stock or portfolio performance. Read more!

Disclaimer :

The information on this website is provided on "AS IS" basis. Bajaj Broking (BFSL) does not warrant the accuracy of the information given herein, either expressly or impliedly, for any particular purpose and expressly disclaims any warranties of merchantability or suitability for any particular purpose. While BFSL strives to ensure accuracy, it does not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or timeliness of the information. Users are advised to independently verify details and stay updated with any changes.

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice. BFSL shall not be responsible for any consequences arising from reliance on the information provided herein and shall not be held responsible for all or any actions that may subsequently result in any loss, damage and or liability. Interest rates, fees, and charges etc., are revised from time to time, for the latest details please refer to our Pricing page.

Neither the information, nor any opinion contained in this website constitutes a solicitation or offer by BFSL or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or provide any investment advice or service.

BFSL is acting as distributor for non-broking products/ services such as IPO, Mutual Fund, Insurance, PMS, and NPS. These are not Exchange Traded Products. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read the sales brochure carefully before investing.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing. This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

[ Read More ]

For more disclaimer, check here : https://www.bajajbroking.in/disclaimer

Our Secure Trading Platforms

Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading

Bajaj Broking App Download

11 lakh+ Users

icon-with-text

4.8 App Rating

icon-with-text

4 Languages

icon-with-text

₹7,600+ Cr MTF Book

icon-with-text
banner-icon

Open Your Free Demat Account

Enjoy low brokerage on delivery trades

+91

|

Please Enter Mobile Number

Open Your Free Demat Account

Enjoy low brokerage on delivery trades

+91

|