What are the different types of bear markets? How long do bear markets typically last?
By Andrew Murphy, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
In our latest quarterly recap, we addressed a client question about the age of the current bull market. This month, we will dive a little deeper into a popular topic given the recent market weakness and volatility – a bear market. Bear markets are typically defined as a 20% decline from a previous market high. Bear markets can occur in any asset class or index, but right now we will focus on US large cap stocks (S&P 500).
At Winthrop Wealth Management, we categorize a bear market based on whether or not it was accompanied by a recession. See right for a chart detailing the last ten bear markets in the S&P 500. Going back to 1929, 8-of-10 bear markets were accompanied by a recession.
Given that equity market returns are based on the presumption of future cash flows of the underlying companies, it makes sense that the worst time periods occur when the economy is struggling. Bear market declines in recessionary periods are usually severe.
• Number of Bear Markets accompanied by a recession: 8
• Average peak-to-trough decline: -49%
• Average time it took the market to bottom: 29 months
What about bear markets outside of recessions? Only 2-of-10 bear markets were not accompanied by a recession. These two periods include right before the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the Market Crash of 1987.
• Number of Bear Markets without a recession: 2
• Average peak-to-trough decline: -31%
• Average time it took the market to bottom: 5 months
Historically, bear markets that were not accompanied by a recession were milder and quicker. We will not claim that we will be able to precisely predict when the next bear market or recession will start – we do not believe anyone can do this consistently. We can, however, rely on our experience and investment process to analyze data and get a sense of the current environment. Despite the recent volatility, our viewpoint has not changed from our Q3 Market Outlook. We maintain our cautiously optimistic view on the US equity markets and economy, and we do not believe a recession is likely in the near-term.
We understand that volatility can be stressful, and that it is human nature to envision the worst-case scenario – that a market drop could be the start of the next bear market. However, during periods of market volatility, most often the best course of action is to not overreact. Keep in mind, that some clients view bear markets as an opportunity to buy stocks that are on sale. The stock market has historically gone up over time, but the returns are rarely in a straight line. Market volatility is a common occurrence (this is a topic we will cover in the future). As always, we encourage our clients to maintain a long-term viewpoint while remaining focused on their overall goals and objectives.
At Winthrop Wealth Management, financial planning works in concert with investment management. The Financial Plan, which helps clients define cash flow needs and future objectives, drives the investment management strategy. The investment management process is designed to provide well-diversified portfolios constructed with a methodology based on prudent risk management, asset allocation, and security selection.
DISCLOSURES
Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Winthrop Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. These risks are often heightened for investments in emerging markets
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification and asset allocation do not protect against market risk.
All indexes mentioned are unmanaged indexes which cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is comprised of 30 stocks that are major factors in their industries and widely held by individuals and institutional investors
The NASDAQ Composite Index measures all NASDAQ domestic and non-U.S. based common stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. The market value, the last sale price multiplied by total shares outstanding, is calculated throughout the trading day, and is related to the total value of the Index.
The S&P Midcap 400 Stock Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for the stocks of mid-sized US companies.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of the following developed country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
The MSCI Europe Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 15 Developed Markets (DM) countries in Europe*. With 445 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization across the European Developed Markets equity universe.
The MSCI Japan Index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid-cap segments of the Japanese market. With 322 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in Japan.
The MSCI EM (Emerging Markets) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of the emerging market countries of the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The MSCI EM Index consists of the following emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including both government and corporate bonds.
The Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and agency bonds that are dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than one year.
The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is a broad market performance benchmark for the tax-exempt bond market, the bonds included in this index must have a minimum credit rating of at least Baa.
The fast price swings in commodities and currencies will result in significant volatility in an investor’s holdings.
< COMMENTARY
Client Questions | October 31, 2018
What are the different types of bear markets? How long do bear markets typically last?
By Andrew Murphy, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer
In our latest quarterly recap, we addressed a client question about the age of the current bull market. This month, we will dive a little deeper into a popular topic given the recent market weakness and volatility – a bear market. Bear markets are typically defined as a 20% decline from a previous market high. Bear markets can occur in any asset class or index, but right now we will focus on US large cap stocks (S&P 500).
At Winthrop Wealth Management, we categorize a bear market based on whether or not it was accompanied by a recession. See right for a chart detailing the last ten bear markets in the S&P 500. Going back to 1929, 8-of-10 bear markets were accompanied by a recession.
Given that equity market returns are based on the presumption of future cash flows of the underlying companies, it makes sense that the worst time periods occur when the economy is struggling. Bear market declines in recessionary periods are usually severe.
• Number of Bear Markets accompanied by a recession: 8
• Average peak-to-trough decline: -49%
• Average time it took the market to bottom: 29 months
What about bear markets outside of recessions? Only 2-of-10 bear markets were not accompanied by a recession. These two periods include right before the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the Market Crash of 1987.
• Number of Bear Markets without a recession: 2
• Average peak-to-trough decline: -31%
• Average time it took the market to bottom: 5 months
Historically, bear markets that were not accompanied by a recession were milder and quicker. We will not claim that we will be able to precisely predict when the next bear market or recession will start – we do not believe anyone can do this consistently. We can, however, rely on our experience and investment process to analyze data and get a sense of the current environment. Despite the recent volatility, our viewpoint has not changed from our Q3 Market Outlook. We maintain our cautiously optimistic view on the US equity markets and economy, and we do not believe a recession is likely in the near-term.
We understand that volatility can be stressful, and that it is human nature to envision the worst-case scenario – that a market drop could be the start of the next bear market. However, during periods of market volatility, most often the best course of action is to not overreact. Keep in mind, that some clients view bear markets as an opportunity to buy stocks that are on sale. The stock market has historically gone up over time, but the returns are rarely in a straight line. Market volatility is a common occurrence (this is a topic we will cover in the future). As always, we encourage our clients to maintain a long-term viewpoint while remaining focused on their overall goals and objectives.
At Winthrop Wealth Management, financial planning works in concert with investment management. The Financial Plan, which helps clients define cash flow needs and future objectives, drives the investment management strategy. The investment management process is designed to provide well-diversified portfolios constructed with a methodology based on prudent risk management, asset allocation, and security selection.
DISCLOSURES
Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Winthrop Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. These risks are often heightened for investments in emerging markets
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification and asset allocation do not protect against market risk.
All indexes mentioned are unmanaged indexes which cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is comprised of 30 stocks that are major factors in their industries and widely held by individuals and institutional investors
The NASDAQ Composite Index measures all NASDAQ domestic and non-U.S. based common stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. The market value, the last sale price multiplied by total shares outstanding, is calculated throughout the trading day, and is related to the total value of the Index.
The S&P Midcap 400 Stock Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the market for the stocks of mid-sized US companies.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the US & Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of the following developed country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
The MSCI Europe Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 15 Developed Markets (DM) countries in Europe*. With 445 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization across the European Developed Markets equity universe.
The MSCI Japan Index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid-cap segments of the Japanese market. With 322 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in Japan.
The MSCI EM (Emerging Markets) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of the emerging market countries of the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The MSCI EM Index consists of the following emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.
The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index of the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, including both government and corporate bonds.
The Barclays Capital U.S. Credit Bond Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and agency bonds that are dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than one year.
The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is a broad market performance benchmark for the tax-exempt bond market, the bonds included in this index must have a minimum credit rating of at least Baa.
The fast price swings in commodities and currencies will result in significant volatility in an investor’s holdings.