A negative outlook or sentiment regarding the future price direction of an asset, sector, or the broader market. A trader or analyst described as bearish expects prices to decline and may express this view by selling holdings, opening short positions, buying put options, or moving to cash and defensive assets. Bearish sentiment can be based on fundamental factors such as deteriorating earnings, technical signals like broken support levels, or macroeconomic headwinds like rising interest rates.
Example
“The analyst turned bearish on tech stocks after the sector failed to hold its 200-day moving average and forward earnings estimates were revised lower.”