bear markets

Noun

bear market (plural bear markets)

1. A stock market where a majority of investors are selling ("bears"), causing overall stock prices to drop. Often operationally defined as a market value drop of 20% or more on some specific stock market index.
   • Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension...2013 July 6, “The rise of smart beta”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8843, page 68

   Antonyms:

   bull market

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bear, market.
   • Now bids are submitted by button companies for the Teddy Bear contract, and Germany plush factories manufacture plush especially for the bear market at Giengen Brenz.1908 November 5, “The First “Teddy Bears.””, in Presbyterian Banner, volume 95, Pittsburgh, →OCLC, page 16 (692), column 2