In a bear market it is easy to get frustrated as stock prices plummet to new lows every week. It is important to stay calm and keep faith in the markets and the companies that you hold.
Weed out the dud stocks
Companies which are weak financially and may not be able to survive an economic downturn which often coincides with a bear market should be sold.
Hold tight
Good companies and management often thrive in a bear market. Hold on to those stocks in the portfolio.
Rebalance & Diversify
It is important to regularly rebalance the portfolio in terms of equity and debt allocation and diversify as per sector and market caps.
Growth vs Value
At every downfall add value stocks. Invest in a staggered manner or in 3 equal parts.
Read and Listen
It is important that you read management commentaries and listen to what they are saying during bear markets.
Promoter Holding
Strong promoters increase their stake during bear markets. It is often a good indicator of undervalued stocks.
Dividend Stocks
Companies that give regular dividends are often available at good dividend yields during bear markets. Investors can watchout for these kinds of stocks.
Earnings! Earnings! Earnings!
All said and done markets are a slave of earnings. Track earnings of various companies across sectors. It will act as a good indicator of when the markets will bottom out.
Long Term
Keep a long term horizon. History shows that the seeds of a bull market are always sowed in a bear market.