Bear Market

When stocks trend downward for a long period, it's a ""bear"" market. Conversely, when stock prices have risen steadily over several months, experts call it a ""bull"" market. These terms were selected based on the way the two animals attack. When a bull rushes forward, he holds his head low and then gores upward with his horns. A bear, on the other hand, strikes downward with his paws.