Historical bears, bulls, crashes, rallies, corrections, and recessions – how do they all fit together for investors? And is there a typical duration of time for a bear vs bull market? This article provides the history and context for what typically defines the many inclinations of the market. Even discover why the terms “bull market” and “bear market” are used.
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A “bear market” occurs when stock prices in general are falling, and then widespread pessimism sustains the continued drop in prices. The stock market becomes a bear market whenever stock prices have fallen over 20% over the course of several months, as seen in market indexes like the S&P 500. Investors lose confidence in the market as they anticipate further losses.
A “bull market”, on the other hand, comes with rising stock prices and increasing investor confidence. Stock prices rise by at least 20% over the course of several months in a bull market.
Looking at history, bear markets are typically shorter than bull markets. A bull market's average duration is about 3 years, while bear markets last on average about 18 months.
Stock market corrections are a natural part of the stock market cycle.
Stock markets “crash” when stock prices plummet more than 10% in one day. The Great Crash of 1929 consisted of market drops of 13% and 12% on successive days.
In a normal bear market, there will of course be days or weeks when prices increase. It is important, however, to distinguish a bear market rally from the beginning of a bull market. In a rally, the stock market posts gains for days or even weeks in a row. Investors might be tricked into thinking that a new bull market has begun. However, until stock prices increase by 20%, there is still a bear market.
The terms, “bear market” and “bull market,” come from the behaviors of these animals: A bull thrust its enemies upward, while a bear prefers to knock foes into the dirt.
It is important to distinguish a bear market from a market correction, which is shorter and involves less of a market decline. Market corrections are part of the normal ebb and flow of the market. They are short-term trends that typically last less than two months and involve stock market declines of about 10% – not the 20% fall in a bear market.
A recession occurs when the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declines for two or more quarters in a row. Many of the same factors cause recessions and bear markets, but the stock markets and the economy do not always move together. Usually, however, a bear market and a recession overlap.
The depression was preceded by the Great Crash of October, 1929, with price declines of 13% and 12% on successive days. The crash also inaugurated the worst bear market of all time, with stocks dropping 89% through June, 1932. High unemployment lasted through the 1930s.
A weakening economy, high inflation, a tumultuous year of assassinations and riots, and tensions of the Vietnam War influenced the development of a bear market, which accompanied a mild recession.
The 1970s were marked by chronically high inflation. Stocks also underperformed during the decade, rallying and then fading in value. In 1973, the Arab oil embargo drove up gas prices, sparking double-digit inflation, a recession, and a bear market.
By 1980, the country had faced almost a decade of sustained inflation, along with slow growth. In order to fight this “stagflation,” the Federal Reserve raised interest rates. This rate increase, coupled with a deep recession, led to a relatively shallow bear market lasting 21 months.
Due in large part to the excesses of automated computer trading, the market crashed, falling 22.6% in one day. The resulting bear market lasted only a brief 3 months. The GDP did not fall, so there was no recession.
The Dot.com bubble consisted of soaring stock prices and excitement about newly emerging Internet companies. The bubble burst when investors realized that the newly emerging Internet companies showed little or no profit. The attacks of 9/11 deepened a mild recession and prolonged this bear market.
A rising mortgage delinquency rate spilled over into the credit markets because a variety of financial instruments were tied to home loans. As a result, the U.S. and other countries enacted large economic stimulus measures. It was accompanied by the “Great Recession.”
Bull markets feature investor optimism, but this turns to pessimism and panic during a bear market. Both types of markets are driven by changes in investor attitudes as much as by economic fundamentals.
A bear market is difficult to predict. Falling stock values might just be part of a stock market correction. Rising values might only signal a bear market rally, as opposed to a new bull market.
Investors need to beware of the tendency to over-react to fears of a bear market or thrills of a bull market. Investors tend to tinker with their holdings, often selling after stocks have fallen sharply, instead of buying stocks at low prices (or buying after stocks have risen to unsustainable heights). Similarly, some investors sell stocks before the bear market begins but are then too frightened to return.
Many factors affect the stock market. Be sure to consult your financial advisory team for specific guidance.
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