In investing, a bear market refers to ____________.

A bear market refers to a prolonged period in which the prices of securities are falling, typically characterized by a decline of 20% or more from recent highs. This phenomenon often reflects widespread pessimism among investors, leading to reduced confidence and lower demand for stocks. As a result, the broader market trends downward, indicating that investors expect prices to continue to decrease in the near future. The bear market is often contrasted with a bull market, which is characterized by rising stock prices and investor optimism.

In the context of the other provided options, a stock market that is expected to remain level would suggest stability rather than a decline, which does not align with the definition of a bear market. A choice relating to stocks with corporate logos featuring bears does not have any relevance to market trends or investor sentiments and is more whimsical than factual. Lastly, a market that is expected to grow signifies a bullish outlook, further illustrating that such an expectation does not fit within the parameters of a bear market.