| If you have been thinking about buying stocks, | | | | people who have no knowledge of the market |
| chances are that you have spent some time reading | | | | buying stocks toward the end of a bull market - |
| up on the market and perhaps watching any one of | | | | which leads many of them to lose their investment |
| the many market-oriented programs on cable TV | | | | when the market suddenly turns south. |
| these days. You have probably heard the words bulls | | | | As you might have guessed, that's when the bears |
| and bears used in relation to the market at different | | | | come stomping in. Bear markets are seen when the |
| times, and may have even wondered what they | | | | economy slows, unemployment begins to rise, and |
| mean, and how those terms might impact your | | | | stock prices fall. Buying stocks in the midst of a bear |
| success as an investor. | | | | market is more complicated than during the boom |
| The terms bulls and bears are used by investors, | | | | times, but many savvy investors still manage to |
| brokers, and outside analysts and observers in an | | | | make money during these times through short selling. |
| attempt to capture in a word the general ambiance | | | | Others merely swallow any losses suffered at the |
| and mood of the market over any given period of | | | | end of the bull market and wait out the bear market, |
| time. Whether you are merely follow the stock | | | | only buying stocks again when it appears that the |
| market on the news, or are buying stocks as part of | | | | bulls are prepared to resume their run. |
| your investment strategy, you will hear these words | | | | Recognizing the start and end of these two market |
| used on a frequent basis. | | | | types before they occur is one of the secrets used |
| The word "bull" refers to a so-called bull market. | | | | by some of the most successful investors - who |
| During a bull market, the economic activity of the | | | | always seem to be buying stocks and selling them at |
| country is brisk, job growth is high, and the markets | | | | the most opportune times. For the rest of us, |
| rush forward like a charging bull. It is easy to choose | | | | learning to chart a sensible investing path through the |
| winning stocks during a bull market, as most stocks | | | | bulls and bears usually has to suffice. |
| rise at least somewhat. You will often find many | | | | |