Bulls vs Bears

Stock market is a forward looking, or a "leading indicator". Economic statistics are backward looking or "lagging indicators". 

When the market believes we are about 6 months from the end of the recession and a return to economic growth is imminent, a bear market will end and a new bull will be borned. In other words, the bull market will come back before you "feel" like things are getting better.  

Bull market ends with the cheapest craps being bought over and bear markets always end with even the bluest chips being sold off!

Bull market is longer than bear market but bear market is more painful and feels longer.

Bear markets end after financials crushed and bull starts with new financials