A market condition in which the prices of securities are falling and widespread pessimism causes the negative sentiment to be self-sustaining. As investors anticipate losses in a bear market and selling continue, pessimism only grows. Although figures can vary, for now, a downturn of 20% or more in multiple broad market indexes, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or S&P 500, over at least a 2 month period, is considered an entry into a bear market.
