January 22, Last Updated January 22, Most markets, and certainly most currencies and commodities, are now officially in a bear market. Of course, many stocks are down 40 or 50 per cent or more, so we might need a new term to describe them — zombie market?

That is, dead but still moving?

Many investors fear a bear market, because it almost guarantees they will lose money. It also creates opportunities, so we would not suggest running away from a bear. With that in mind, here are five things. The market is bad enough without you trying to learn a new investment strategy all of a sudden. After seeing relentless selling, day after day after day, you might resign yourself to continued losses. This is one of the worst things investors can do. Keep your eyes open for opportunities.

Buying Stocks in a Bear Market | Finance - Zacks

There is always something that might make you some money some day, but you need to be watching for it. For example, shareholders who stuck with.

Exchange-traded-fund providers and brokers might offer all sorts of ways to hedge your portfolio in a bear market, from market-linked GICs to triple-down leveraged short ETFs. These products are always expensive, and often do not work as intended, even in a continued decline.

The barn door is already open, the horses have left. Whether these are appropriate products or not almost always not , the time to buy market insurance is before the bear market has hit, not after. In a bear market, many so-called experts will start touting doom-and-gloom scenarios.

It can be scary listening to these folks, but there have been bear markets in the past, and there will be bear markets in the future.

Old investors, like me, have seen it all before. Do not panic and sell. You may see more losses, but panicking is never a solid investment strategy. Likewise, Baytex Energy Corp.

I do not know where oil is going to bottom out, and neither do you. Just because something has dropped 50 per cent does not mean it cannot drop another 75 per cent.

Peter Hodson, CFA, is CEO of 5i Research Inc. Your account has been reactivated. You must verify your email address before signing in.

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We've sent you an email with instructions to create a new password. All FP Tech Desk. Five things investors should not do in a bear market Many investors fear a bear market, because it almost guarantees they will lose money, but it also creates opportunities. Filed under Investing Investing Pro. With that in mind, here are five things not to do in a bear market. Related Hedge funds, leveraged ETFs and more: Five signs that these strange markets are getting stranger Joe Chidley: Federal Reserve's hike signals a return to normal — whatever that Why disruption is the most important game in town for investors Joe Chidley: Why it's still hard to hit the sell button on America, despite Trump's Bill Ackman says he needs to make money after huge Valeant loss, but happy with Five signs of investor fatigue, from excessive short-termism to the pot bubble bursting.

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