Economic security

A Bear Market Is Coming -- This Is How Investors Can Prepare

Citigroup analysts are predicting a "full-on bear market" within months based on historical trends, according to a new note by equity strategist Robert Buckland. Here's how you can protect your portfolio.

Assess Your Risk

Most everyone will suffer losses in a bear market (short-sellers are winners, of course), but investors can decide now for themselves how much they are willing to risk says certified financial planner Alexander G. Koury of Values Quest, Inc.

"The first thing to do is check the current risk of the portfolio," Koury said. "This will help the investor determine what would be the worst case scenario if the market were to go into a bear market. That means an investor will know how much they're willing to lose of their portfolio, and they can determine whether or not that is comfortable for them."