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Understanding Market Cycles and Investor Sentiment

Bull vs Bear Markets: What They Mean for Traders

Understand the difference between bull and bear markets and strategies that work in both conditions.

9 min read Updated
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  1. Bull vs Bear Markets
  2. Historical Context
  3. Key Takeaways
Updated 9 min read By Ryan Silk & Lawrence Polatchek Fact-checked

Bull and Bear Markets

describe extended periods of rising (bull) or falling (bear) stock prices. A bull market is a 20%+ rise; a bear market is a 20%+ decline.

Bulls thrust horns upward, bears swipe downward—hence the names.

Quick answer

Bull = 20%+ rise (optimism). Bear = 20%+ fall (fear). Bulls last years, bears last months. Don't panic sell—staying invested historically wins.

A bull market is a sustained rise; a bear market is commonly defined as a decline of 20% or more from recent highs.

Bull vs Bear Markets

Bull Market: 20%+ rise, optimism, economic growth.

Bear Market: 20%+ decline, fear, recession.

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Historical Context

Bull markets average 5-6 years. Bear markets average 9-18 months. The market rises more than it falls.

Key Takeaways

  • Bull = 20%+ up, Bear = 20%+ down
  • Bulls last longer than bears
  • Staying invested beats timing

Watch

Market Recap Apr 14, 2026: S&P Near Record Highs The close on April 14, 2026: the S&P about 0.6% off its all time high, VIX down 23% on the week, energy the only red sector, and MU up 31.85% on the week. Transcript and key takeaways Subscribe on YouTube

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ApexVol Research Team
Quantitative options research. All calculations use live institutional-grade data — the same source professional volatility desks use.
Reviewed by
Ryan Silk, ApexVol Founder
Reviewed for technical accuracy. 10+ years trading options; built ApexVol's pricing engine, Greeks model and IV-rank methodology.

Revised as market conditions and institutional data change. Last revised 2025-01-21. How we research →

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