How Long a Bear Market Last?
How long bear markets last on Wall Street since 1929. Gain insights, central bank influences, and strategies for informed investing during downturns.
Shai.Gal
Shai Gal is a highly experienced financial journalist with expertise in the tech industry and dividend growth stocks. He has a strong track record of producing insightful content that helps investors make informed decisions. Shai is skilled in conducting in-depth research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities in the market.
Oct 24 2022
Key Point:
How Often Does a Bear Market Appear on Wall Street, Can It Be Anticipated, and How Long Does It Last?
A bear market is defined as a decline of 20% or more from the peak levels of one or more of the two leading indices on Wall Street, namely the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq index. Bear markets are not a rare event on Wall Street, but they don't occur every two months. From the start of the third millennium until now, the US market entered bearish territory four times, each differing in duration and intensity.
Try to create as wide a spread as possible in your investment portfolio both at the sectoral level and at the geographical level, which will allow you to reduce risks.
From 1929 to the present, Wall Street has encountered 21 bear markets, with the most severe drop being about 83% between October 1930 and January 1932. The frequency with which these downturns occur, averaging every 4.4 years, underscores the need for preparedness among investors. While the onset is hard to forecast, recognizing early signs can help mitigate losses and identify potential investment opportunities.
Entering a bear market is an event that occurs on average every 4.4 years, at a time that is very difficult to predict in advance. This is of course unpleasant for investors who are inside the market at the beginning of the bear market, but certainly not a reason to panic either, although it is a clear signal to take steps to reduce losses, perhaps also to carefully locate investment opportunities.
It is important to emphasize: despite the similarity in the lower threshold of the declines in bear markets, they differ from each other in their characteristics, their strength, their influence on such and other stocks and as mentioned - also in the strength of the exit from them. The previous two times the US stock market went into a bear market before the corona virus, it lasted much longer, with bigger declines.
If you are looking for an optimistic point, according to history every bear market is followed by a bull that pushes the indices to new highs. Sometimes it happened quickly and sometimes it took a few years, but it always happened.
The main reason for the sharp declines is the attempt by the central banks around the world, led by the Fed, to deal with rising inflation by raising interest rates.
When talking about a bear market, beyond the unique characteristics of each such event - there is also something in common. Over the years there has been great variation in the length and depth of bear market events. For example, the steepest fall, a drop from peak to trough of almost 57%, occurred in the 17 months that followed the financial crisis of 2007-2009.
The longest bear market lasted almost 21 months, in the years 1974-1973, during which a decrease of about 48% from the record was recorded. The shortest bear market is also the closest - a 34% drop with the outbreak of the Corona epidemic between February and March 2020.
What should investors do?
If the process of reducing inflation has already started, and it will start to decrease at the beginning of next year, this is exactly the change that the markets are looking for and we may see them take advantage of this for gains.
There are many, many places, sub-sectors, stocks and companies that were more affected by the sweeping decline in markets around the world, and where there were more declines there are also opportunities
There are companies that with high liquidity and good results can handle the bear market better, especially in areas such as IT, power generation and infrastructure and that technology is still recommended, and also be in sectors that are more solid, such as health and infrastructure, which are very stable.
The Road Ahead
As markets navigate bearish terrains, your perspectives on when this phase might culminate hold immense value. Share your insights, strategies, and predictions in the comments below, fostering a collaborative and informed investment community.
Maximizing Gains Amidst Bearish Waves
While bear markets inevitably introduce volatility, they also present unique opportunities for discerning investors. Understanding how long a bear market lasts and its underlying causes enables proactive strategies tailored for growth and resilience. Here's a concise roadmap:
In essence, while bear markets pose challenges, they also pave the way for strategic growth opportunities. By adopting a proactive stance, leveraging insights on how long a bear market lasts, and aligning strategies with market dynamics, investors can navigate these phases successfully, ensuring long-term financial prosperity.
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Please note that the article should not be considered as investment advice or marketing, and it does not take into account the personal data and requirements of any individual. It is not a substitute for the reader's own judgment, and it should not be considered as advice or recommendation for buying or selling any securities or financial products.
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