A “bull market” is a period of time when the stock market is rising and people are generally optimistic about the economy. This means that stock prices are generally going up, and people are willing to invest in stocks because they believe that they will continue to increase in value.
On the other hand, a “bear market” is a period of time when the stock market is falling and people are generally pessimistic about the economy. This means that stock prices are generally going down, and people may be hesitant to invest in stocks because they believe that they will continue to decrease in value.
These terms come from the way that bulls and bears attack their prey. A bull thrusts its horns up into the air, while a bear swipes its paws down toward the ground. So when the market is going up, it is said to be a “bull market,” and when the market is going down, it is said to be a “bear market.”