A bear market is a sustained decline of 20% or more in major stock indices from a recent peak. Bear markets typically last 9-18 months in the US (the 2007-2009 bear lasted 17 months and dropped the S&P 500 by 57%). Bull markets — the opposite — last on average about 4-5 years and recover more than bear markets lose. The optimal personal-finance behavior in a bear market is counterintuitive: keep investing on your normal schedule. The cheap-share periods are where future wealth is built, but only for investors who don't panic-sell at the bottom. Bear-market buyers ultimately beat bull-market sellers.
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Bear Market
August 22, 2026 · Aditya Gupta
Personal Finance
Related terms
1099 Form
Form 1099 is a family of IRS forms reporting various types of non-W-2 income. 1099-NEC reports nonemployee compensation…
529 Plan
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings account. Contributions grow tax-free; withdrawals for qualified education expenses (tuition,…
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