EDITOR'S NOTE: In need of help on your financial journey? Over the years, The White Coat Investor has carefully curated a recommended list of professionals who have been thoroughly vetted and trusted by thousands of readers. Explore our handpicked selections today, and get the exceptional support you deserve. By Jim Dahle , WCI Founder A bear market in stocks is generally defined as a 20% drop in value from the peak. On average, bear markets occur about every three years, last for 10 months, and require 2 1/2 years to recover. As we publish this in April 2026, our last bear markets were January-October 2022 (a 27% drop in US stock prices) and February-March 2020 (a 34% drop in US stock prices). A knowledge of financial history arms an investor with the means to control the most important factor in their investment returns and financial security: their own behavior.…