What characterizes a bear market?

A bear market is characterized by a prolonged decline in investment prices, typically defined by a drop of 20% or more in major market indexes. This decline signifies a negative shift in investor sentiment, often driven by factors such as economic downturns, changes in corporate profits, rising unemployment, or geopolitical tensions. In bear markets, investors generally have a pessimistic outlook on the economy, leading to reduced buying activity and further price declines.

The emphasis on a "prolonged" decline highlights that it is not just a short-term fluctuation; rather, it reflects a sustained period during which stock prices and other investments experience consistent downward trends. This distinguishes a bear market from other market behaviors, such as corrections or fluctuations that may occur over a shorter time duration.

Other options describe scenarios that do not fit the definition of a bear market. A prolonged increase in investment prices represents a bull market, where optimism prevails. A stable market would suggest there are no significant price changes in either direction, and a sudden drop in prices by 5% does not fulfill the criteria for defining the broader term of a bear market, which requires a more substantial and sustained decline in prices.