Bear markets never go straight down. This week the DOW gained 5% in one day, then the next day it went from -600 to +280. Moves like this only happen in bear markets. The biggest one day market gain was 11% in Oct 2008... that was a bear market. These bear rallies are very quick and intense, but they fizzle out quickly. This market has a LOT of room to fall. You don't start buying stocks until everyone is negative and there is blood in the street.