bear market

Bear Market

A market condition in which the prices of securities are falling or are expected to fall. Although figures can vary, a downturn of 15%-20% or more in multiple indexes (Dow or S&P 500) is considered an entry into a bear market.

Notes:

When you see a bear what do you do? Tuck in your arms and play dead! Fighting back can be extremely dangerous. It is quite difficult for an investor to make stellar gains during a bear market, unless he or she is a short seller.

See also: Bear, Bear Raid, Bull, Bull Market, Capitulation, Flight to Quality, Index, Sell Short

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Bear market

Any market in which prices exhibit a declining trend. For a prolonged period, usually falling by 20% or more.

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bear market

An extended period of general price declines in an individual security or other asset, such as silver or real estate; a group of securities; or the securities market as a whole. Nevertheless, even during widespread bear markets, it is possible to have bull markets in particular stocks or groups of stocks. For example, stocks of gold-related companies often move against major trends in the security markets. Compare bull market.