Here’s How to Trade Profitably in a Bear Market

12/26/2022

2 minutes read

2022.12.26 06:27

Many investors have had a rough year. 2022 has been characterized by turbulence in financial markets.

The , , and are all in the bear market territory, while the is the only U.S. index down less than 10% YTD.

The performance of U.S. indices year to date paints a grim picture: Nasdaq (Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:)) -33%, iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:) (-23%), SPDR® S&P 500 (NYSE:) (-20%), and SPDR® Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (NYSE:) (−9%).

U.S. Indices Chart

Returns for investors range from smaller profits to substantial losses depending on whether passive or active strategies are deployed and whether any funds are allocated towards alternative assets – like commodities.

Rigorous analysis and a trading plan are crucial to trading successfully in bear markets. Commodities are volatile, and it is essential to have stops and profit targets for commodity trades.

The chart displays the performance of silver (iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:)) 26%, Sugar (CANE) 12%, the Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE:) 11%, Gold ()) 9%, and the Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (NYSE:) (-3%) over the last 90 days.

History of S&P 500 Bear Markets

The S&P 500 began declining in early January and officially entered a bear market on June 13, 2022.

, higher interest rates, and increased geopolitical tensions all contribute to persistent concerns in the present bear market and will continue in 2023.

At a glance

The early 2000s dot-com bubble led to the second-longest bear market in history, which lasted 929 days and a 49.1% decline.
The March COVID bear market in 2020 was the shortest in history, which lasted 33 days and declining 33%.
Excluding the longest and shortest bear markets, the average length of a bear market is around 330 days — or just under one year and more extended bear markets are closer to two years.
The average bear market drawdown is approximately 33%.

If today’s stock market follows a similar time and price trajectory, the current bear market will last much longer than many people anticipate.

Market conditions and price action will ultimately decide whether the S&P 500 sees lows of 3300, 3250, 3000, 2900, or even lower lows.
The S&P 500 faces overhead resistance at 4,000, 4,100, and 4,150; on overhead resistance, 5,000 will be a number that will be hard to cross for a long time.

Despite volatile financial markets this year, we are proud that many of our investments have held firm and have even grown. This provides confidence in our proprietary investment strategies and our execution to manage strategies for maximum returns while limiting drawdowns.

Fortunately, we have seen success with several strategies delivering positive returns despite these trying times. The chart below shows a recent sample of a few profitable trades.

U.S. Indices Chart (23rd Sept to 23rd Dec 2022)

Rigorous analysis and a well-crafted trading plan are crucial to trading success in bear markets. It also helps to have multiple decades of trading experience and proven trading indicators to guide you.

As 2023 approaches, it is helpful to keep in mind the lessons of the past while focusing on executing risk-managed trades that are profitable today, like silver, as an example highlighted below.

SLV-Weekly Chart