Bear market

A bear market is a market condition in which the prices of securities are falling, and widespread pessimism causes the negative sentiment to be self-sustaining. As investors anticipate losses in a bear market and selling continues, pessimism only grows. Although figures can vary, for many, a downturn of 20% or more in broad market indexes over at least a two-month period, is considered an entry into a bear market.

Bear markets in US stocks
The following table documents historical bear markets in the United States, as measured by declines in the S&P 500 index.