Downturn

A downturn is a worsening of business or economic activity. It may be related to a decline in a stock market, economic cycle, or corporate profits. A downturn may refer to a market, industry or corporation, but generally it refers to a economic conditions at large. A major downturn in a stock market is referred to as a bear market. An economic downturn may be a part of or precede a larger recession, however a downturn does not necessarily signify prolonged negative growth. Some may consider a downturn a correction to normal operating levels of business, such as the downturn that followed the tech bubble burst in the late 1990's after a decade-long bull market had led to unusually high stock valuations.