Last year, investors were reminded in a not-so-subtle way that stocks can go down just as easily as they can rise. Following a nearly unstoppable march higher in 2021, all three major U.S. stock indexes plummeted into a bear market last year. The growth-focused Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) was hit hardest, with a peak-to-trough decline of 38%.

While big declines can be unnerving, especially for new investors, bear markets have consistently proved to be surefire buying opportunities for the patient. No matter how poorly the Nasdaq Composite has previously performed during a correction, crash, or bear market, every downturn has eventually (key word!) been put into the back seat by a bull market rally.

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Source Fool.com