What name is given to the worldwide equity-market collapse that unfolded during the 1973–1974 economic crisis?

The worldwide equity-market collapse that unfolded during the 1973–1974 economic crisis is called the 1973–1974 stock market crash.

The crash developed during a period of severe economic and geopolitical stress. In October 1973, Arab members of OPEC imposed an oil embargo on countries seen as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Oil prices rose sharply, contributing to inflation, weaker economic growth, and reduced corporate confidence in many industrial economies.

Stock markets had already been declining after the long bull market of the 1950s and 1960s. The downturn became especially severe in 1973 and 1974, as investors faced high inflation, recession, energy shortages, and political uncertainty. In the United States, the S&P 500 fell substantially from its 1973 peak to its 1974 low.

This crash is sometimes confused with the 1970s oil crisis itself. The oil crisis was a major cause of the economic shock, while the stock-market crash describes the collapse in equity prices. The episode remains a key example of how commodity shocks can damage markets worldwide.