There’s no hard and fast rule for how long bear markets should last. The most recent one in the US lasted 17 months, longer than the 13-month average duration of bear markets since World War II.

A bear market that’s followed by a recession tends to last longer than one that isn’t. For example, in October 1987, the US entered a bear market – stocks fell 31%, but it only lasted two months and wasn’t followed by a recession.

In March 2000, meanwhile, the bear market brought about by the “dotcom bubble” bursting sent the stock market down 49% – and was followed by recession in 2001. While you were busy playing Pokémon, that bear market dragged on for 31 months.

A bear market ends when stocks begin to reverse their declines by rising at least 20% out of the trough – (re)entering a bull market. But what should you do with your investments while a bear is there? Read on to find out...