Home Guides & Resources chevron_right Economy and the Markets Chart of the Week: Bulls Outrun Bears Published May 23, 2022 Jeffrey DeMasoPortfolio Manager The S&P 500 index dodged bear country today, but I think we can all agree that it’s felt like a done deal for weeks. While bear marketsA period in which stock prices decline significantly from recent highs and remain below previous high marks for weeks or months. Generally, a decline of at least 20% in stock prices is considered the threshold marking the start of a bear market. are challenging, one way I “bear” them is by not thinking of them as punishment. Bear markets are the fare we pay to ride the long-term compounding train that is the stockA financial instrument giving the holder a proportion of the ownership and earnings of a company. market. In my opinion, it is a ride worth enduring because bulls have easily outrun bears over time. To put some stats behind the chart: The average bull marketA period during which stock prices rise significantly from recent lows for weeks, months or years. ran for about five years and returned 158%. In contrast, the average bear marketA period in which stock prices decline significantly from recent highs and remain below previous high marks for weeks or months. Generally, a decline of at least 20% in stock prices is considered the threshold marking the start of a bear market. (peak to trough) lasted a little over a year, with an average decline of 36%. The average return one year after the bottom? 43%. So, if this is an “average” bear market, then we are roughly halfway through—both in terms of length and drawdown. Of course, no bear market is average. What is clear is that if we are, in fact, in a bear market, then we are much closer to the bottom than we were five months, or even five weeks, ago. And history tells us that, as much as possible, we should stick around to participate in the returns coming out of a bear market. Note: Chart shows cumulative S&P 500 index price returns on a monthly basis, resetting to 0% with the start of each extended period of gains or losses (bullish and bearish markets, respectively), from September 1957 through April 2022. Note that the 2009 decline reached -56.8%, slightly off the bottom scale displayed. Sources: Morningstar, Adviser Investments. This material is distributed for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions contained herein should not be viewed as recommendations or personal investment advice. Data and statistics contained in this report are obtained from what we believe to be reliable sources; however, their accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Our statements and opinions are subject to change without notice. You may request a free copy of the firm’s Form ADV Part 2, which describes, among other items, risk factors, strategies, affiliations, services offered and fees charged. Past performance is not an indication of future returns. Tax, legal and insurance information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice, or as advice on whether to buy or surrender any insurance products. Personalized tax advice and tax return preparation is available through a separate, written engagement agreement with Adviser Investments Tax Solutions. We do not provide legal advice, nor sell insurance products. Always consult a licensed attorney, tax professional, or licensed insurance professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation, or insurance needs. For a summary of Adviser Investments’ advisory services and fiduciary responsibilities to our clients, please review our Form CRS here. © 2022 Adviser Investments, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Tags: bear marketbull marketChart of the WeekJeff DeMasoS&P 500