What Is the Difference Between a Bear & Bull Market?

Given the major implications of the differences between a bull vs. a bear market, it may seem like it makes sense to pivot your investment plan accordingly. But “by the time investors recognize a bear or bull market is happening, it’s often too late to shift strategies,” said Bankrate. You may have heard these terms thrown around in reference to what the stock market is currently doing. In short, a motivewave software review bull market is one that is on the up-and-up, whereas a bear market is on the decline.

• There’s no steadfast answer to how long a bear market will last.
• Moreover, stock values have increased by more than 100% on average in each of those bull markets.
• However, there are many definitions of a bull market, with some saying one cannot be confirmed until the previous high has been taken out.
• These terms describe how stock markets are doing in general—that is, whether they are appreciating or depreciating in value.
• We realize that everyone was once a new trader and needs help along the way on their trading journey and that’s what we’re here for.

Economic Growth

Bear markets are closely linked with economic recessions and depressions. Recessions are formally declared when GDP decreases for two consecutive quarters, while depressions occur when GDP decreases by 10% or more and the downturn lasts for at least two years. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool’s premium services. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. Funding for education can come from any combination of options and a J.P.

• We love the diversity of people, just like we like diversity in trading styles.
• Whether you prefer to independently manage your retirement planning or work with an advisor to create a personalized strategy, we can help.
• Remember that over the long term, the stock market has always posted a positive return.
• This is an example of a bear market on the $SPY, which lasted for several months.

Investor appetite for securities increases, leading to a surge in stock prices when supply shrinks. This may happen even before the broader economic indicators, such as GDP, grow. Mark R. Hake, CFA, is a Chartered Financial Analyst and entrepreneur. He has been writing on stocks for over six years and has also owned his own investment management and research firms focused on U.S. and international value stocks, for over 10 years.

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Stock markets are volatile and can fluctuate significantly in response to company, industry, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Investing in stock involves risks, including the loss of principal. A bear market is “one that is in decline,” though a market is “usually not considered a true ‘bear’ market unless it has fallen 20% or more from recent highs,” said Investopedia. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.

Sources within the finance industry indicate that bullish runs typically last five years (as noted previously), while downturns last about 1.3 years on average. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger’s advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail. Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market or other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information.

Change in GDP

In addition, he worked on the buy side for investment firms, hedge funds, and investment divisions of insurance companies for the past 36 years. Lately, he is also working as Chief Strategy Officer for a tech start-up company, Foldstar Inc, based in Princeton, New Jersey. But by the time everyone agrees that point is reached, the bull market may not last too much longer. In fact, it often becomes more likely that the market becomes close to an inflection point when everyone recognizes a bull market. There can be a danger that if sentiment turns, everyone could rush for the exits and try to sell. At that point, according to Buffett, rising prices become a daily reinforcement and investors, conditioned like Pavlov’s dogs, feel they can’t miss the party.

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These are industries such as utilities, which are often owned by the government. They are necessities that people buy regardless of economic conditions. In the investing world, the terms “bull” and “bear” are frequently used to refer to market conditions. These terms describe how stock markets are doing in general—that is, whether they are appreciating or depreciating in value.

Change in Economic Activity

But it’s difficult to determine if the economic benefits are the reason for or the result of the bull market. A good economy can drive investments in the stock market, which in turn can boost the economy. Although the direction of stock prices marks a bull market or bear market condition, there are some accompanying characteristics that investors should be aware of. Each day our team does live streaming where we focus on real-time group mentoring, coaching, and stock training.

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Predicting bear and bull markets can be tough, even impossible. By the time investors recognize a bear or bull market is happening, it’s often too late to shift strategies. That’s why it’s better to focus on long-term investing rather than trying to trade your way out of a bear market or into a bull market.

What strategies work best in a bull market?

The term “bull vs bear market” is spouted by almost every financial media outlet, but what does it actually mean? A bull market occurs when the economy is expanding and the stock market is gaining value; a bear market is in effect when the economy is shrinking and stocks are losing value. Both types of markets can have massive effects on both your portfolio and your investment strategy. When the market is bullish, investors are typically feeling good, buoyed by solid economic conditions and a sense of optimism about where markets are headed.

With a flourishing economy, we see high employment and, more significantly, large disposable incomes. A rise in corporate earnings can also usher in a bull market. We discuss bull vs bear markets and how to trade them in our live trading room. The stock market can be bearish even while bull markets are occurring in other asset classes and vice versa. If the stock market is bullish and you’re concerned about price inflation, then allocating a portion of your portfolio to gold or real estate may be a smart choice.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. An investor may also turn to defensive stocks, whose performance is only minimally impacted by changing trends in the market. Therefore, defensive stocks are stable in both economic gloom and boom cycles.