Legal Definitions - bear market

Definition: A bear market is a securities market where prices of stocks, bonds, and other investments fall over a prolonged period. It is the opposite of a bull market, where prices rise over a prolonged period.

Example: During the 2008 financial crisis, the stock market experienced a bear market. The prices of stocks fell sharply, and investors lost a lot of money.

Explanation: The example illustrates a bear market because the prices of stocks fell over a prolonged period, causing investors to lose money. In a bear market, investors tend to sell their investments, causing prices to fall further. This creates a cycle of declining prices, which can last for months or even years.