What is the difference between a bear market and a bull market?

In stock market parlance, a bear market means stocks are down 20% or more while a bull signals the market is up significantly. Both are a part of the stock market’s lifecycle: You’ll see your fair share of each, and knowing what to expect can help you handle your investment decisions. What Is a Bear Market?

Should you run with bulls or Bears in the stock market?

Both bulls and bears are intimidating animals, but in terms of the stock market, you'll generally have luck running with the bulls and keeping your distance from the bears. As of June 2, 2023, the S&P 500 market index nears bull market territory as it is now up more than 19.7% since its bear market low last October.

Are bears more powerful than bulls?

Bears can charge, too, but they tend to destroy things, eating, rummaging and generally causing more damage than bulls. So, in that sense, markets can charge higher, wildly, and with great power, just like a bull. But declining markets can seem like a ransacking bear on the loose – they destroy everything and make people lose confidence.

How long does a bear market last?

Historically, bear markets tend to be shorter than bull markets. The average length of a bear market is just 289 days, or just under 10 months. Some bear markets have lasted for years, while others only ran for a few months. The longest bear market occurred from March 1937 until April 1942—The Great Depression—and lasted for 61 months.