A bear market is a market in which prices are noticeably declining.
When the market is on a sustained downward trajectory, with little optimism or lots of pessimism from traders to bring about a rally, it is referred to as a bear market.
What is a bear market?
A bear market is a period in the financial market where the prices of securities are falling.
Although the definition can vary, a decline of 20% or more from recent highs across a broad spectrum of securities is generally recognized as the onset of a bear market. This decline can occur in various asset classes including stocks, bonds, or commodities.
The origin of the term “bear market” is believed to come from the way a bear attacks its prey – swiping its paws downward, symbolizing falling market prices.
This is in contrast to a “bull market,” where prices are rising or expected to rise, analogous to a bull thrusting its horns upward.
What causes a bear market?
Bear markets are typically triggered by a combination of adverse economic indicators, such as slowing GDP growth, high unemployment rates, falling consumer confidence, and poor corporate profitability.
Other factors that can lead to a bear market include changes in monetary policy, financial crises, or widespread pessimism among investors.
For instance, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 was a severe bear market triggered by a collapse in the U.S. housing market, which rippled across the global economy causing widespread declines in asset values.
Another example is the bear market in the first quarter of 2020, when the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant declines in global stock markets as economies worldwide went into lockdown.
The onset of a bear market often leads to a self-perpetuating cycle of selling.
As prices continue to fall, more and more investors may decide to sell their holdings to minimize their losses, which in turn drives prices down even further.
Opportunities in a Bear Market
While bear markets are generally viewed with a sense of dread due to the widespread losses they can inflict, they can also present opportunities for traders.
The reduced prices can provide the chance to buy securities at a discount, potentially leading to substantial gains when the market eventually recovers.
However, timing the market to take advantage of these opportunities is notoriously difficult. It’s nearly impossible to predict the bottom of a bear market, just as it’s hard to foresee the peak of a bull market.