# Bear market is coming. Here's what smart investors do

> History shows the best move when a downturn hits is to stay invested, not panic sell.
- Title: Bear market is coming. Here's what smart investors do
- Summary: History shows the best move when a downturn hits is to stay invested, not panic sell. Staying invested through bear markets beats trying to time the market…
- Keywords: bear market, stock market, s&p 500, nasdaq, investing strategy, market timing, recession, long-term investing, volatility, market history, business, finance
- Source: Yahoo Finance — https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/bear-market-coming-history-says-112000787.html
- Published: 2026-09-16T11:20:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bear market, stock market, s&p 500, nasdaq, investing strategy, market timing, recession, long-term investing, volatility, market history, business, finance
## Bull run is ending soon
The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow have hit record highs in recent years. But strong bull runs always end, and a bear market is coming.
## Experts can't predict timing
In 2023, Deutsche Bank economists predicted a near 100% chance of recession within 12 months. The S&P 500 then surged 82% and the Nasdaq nearly doubled.

> "[a]voiding a hard landing would be historically unprecedented."
## Pulling out is riskier
If you'd sold stocks in 2023 fearing recession, you'd have missed substantial gains. Nobody can predict short-term market moves, making market timing dangerous.
## Stay invested for decades
The single best move is to buy quality stocks and hold them long-term. History proves that with enough time, quality stocks are nearly unstoppable.
## Bear markets happen regularly
Since 1929, the S&P 500 has experienced 22 bear markets, averaging a 20% decline every four years. The worst ones have wiped out 49% to 77% of value.
## Recovery always comes
Since the dot-com bubble popped in March 2000, the S&P 500 has earned total returns of over 714%, despite three historic crashes in between.
## Average bear lasts 340 days
The typical bear market lasts about 340 days with an average decline of 37%. Even a historic downturn's long-term gains will likely outweigh the losses.
## Long-term wealth wins
Nobody knows what happens in 2026 or 2027. But investors who buy quality stocks and hold for decades will build life-changing wealth.
## Key takeaway

Staying invested through bear markets beats trying to time the market, even when recessions seem certain.