bear market

For more information on bear market, visit Britannica.com.

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.

Investopedia Says:
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.

Related Links:
Stay calm, play dead and keep your eyes open for attractive valuations are just some of the tips we offer. Surviving Bear Country
Discover tips from a long-term strategy that can help you make better short-term trades. What Can Traders Learn From Investors?
Stop hoping for the indexes to go up and start investing in the reverse. Going Against The Market
Investing during an economic downturn simply means changing your focus. Discover the benefits of defensive stocks. Cyclical Versus Non-Cyclical Stocks
This sinister version of short selling tries to profit by generating fear in the market place. Find out how you can help prevent "short and distort". The Short And Distort - Stock Manipulation In A Bear Market
Find out what it means when investors are selling off their stocks for safer investments. Panic Selling - Capitulation Or Crash?

Prolonged period of falling prices. A bear market in stocks is usually brought on by the anticipation of declining economic activity, and a bear market in bonds is caused by rising interest rates. Contrast with Bull Market.

A market, especially a stock market, characterized by falling prices; the opposite of a bull market.