Two days ago, there was a sign in my office building’s lobby congratulating my division for exceeding its first-quarter revenue goal. Numerous delicious cookies and bright balloons accompanied the sign. Yesterday morning, my company’s stock opened about 3% higher than the previous day’s close on heavy trading thanks to a favorable reimbursement statement from a government agency.

Yesterday afternoon, my company issued an earnings warning. Its stock dropped nearly 11% in after-hours trading.

Today, at least three major investment institutions downgraded the stock. The stock closed down over 15% compared to the previous day’s opening, reducing the market cap by almost $10 billion.

On the upside, my company remains strong despite the miss. The options chain suggests that investors expect a rebound in the stock price in the not-too-distant future, so this is probably a buying opportunity. The company has weathered worse hits; 22 years ago, the stock dropped over 16% in a single day. Nowadays, the stock trades roughly 10,000% higher (split-adjusted) than that 1984 low. I’m not worried, just a bit frustrated.

I suppose it could be worse.