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

A bull market occurs when stock market indexes are rising, eventually hitting new highs. Historically, bull markets tend to last longer than bear markets. Bear and bull markets can affect investor confidence and behavior. At the most basic level, a bear market describes times when stock prices fall, and a bull market is when they’re going up.

Are small movements a bull or a bear market?

Small movements only represent a short-term trend or a market correction. Whether or not there is going to be a bull market or a bear market can only be determined over a longer time period. However, not all long movements in the market can be characterized as bull or bear.

Why are bulls and bears associated with the stock market?

Etymologists, financial wonks, and everyday investors have all wondered why bulls and bears became associated with the stock market. It’s likely that the jargon originated in the 1700s or 1800s. The bear may have come first, in reference to speculative investors attempting to sell bearskins.