Bull vs. Bear Market: Protect Your Retirement | Annuity Watch USA

Bull vs. Bear: Protect Your Retirement

By Cathy DeWitt Dunn

You’ve probably heard the terms “bull market” and “bear market.” What do these terms mean and how do they affect you and your retirement savings? Do you know how to protect your retirement?

When share prices rise for a sustained period of time — usually months or years — we are looking at a bull market. Bull markets are characterized by a 20 percent rise in stock markets, typically following a drop of 20 percent, or what is known as a bear market. A strengthening economy, strong gross domestic product, drop in unemployment, rise in corporate profits and increased investor confidence are all factors that create the ideal scenario for a bull market.

Protect your retirement

According to CNBC, we are currently in one of the longest-running bull markets ever. On March 9, 2009, the S&P closed at a bear market low of 676. It is up more than 300 percent since then. For nearly 3,500 days, investors have enjoyed the benefits of a bull market, but when will it end?

Bull markets, driven by optimism and investor confidence, can be difficult to predict as it is tough to know just when market trends might change. While we may not be able to predict exactly when this bull market will end, we do know is that what goes up must eventually come down.

A bull market is a good time to take part in the stock market if you want to gain profits, but a wise investor will also take appropriate steps to protect his or her portfolio in the event of a market downturn.

Here are three strategies you can use to protect your retirement portfolio from crashing in a bear market:

  1. Diversify. A well-diversified portfolio will typically outperform a concentrated one in a market downturn.
  2. Set stop losses. Whether a trailing stop or a hard stop, stop losses can protect your portfolio from rapidly changing markets.
  3. Protect your principal. Similar to bonds, principal-protected investments mean your principal is usually protected if you hold the investment until maturity.

Whether high or low, it’s important that you act now to protect your retirement and investment portfolio. contact DeWitt & Dunn today for expert help securing your portfolio.

Related Articles from DeWitt & Dunn Financial Services and Annuity Watch USA

Disclosure:  For informational and educational purposes only. The information contained herein may contain information that is subject to change without notice. Any investments or strategies referenced herein do not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person. Product suitability must be independently determined for each individual investor.

Links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience. DeWitt & Dunn does not endorse nor support the content of third-party sites. By clicking on a third-party link, you will leave this website where privacy and security policies may differ from those practiced by DeWitt & Dunn.



           

Other websites by DeWitt & Dunn Financial Services: