Bear markets can often generate different feelings amongst investors. On the one hand, people are worried about money already lost and concerned that markets may fall even further and perhaps it's time to cut losses. On the other hand there is a sense of opportunity to buy a stock while it's low and then cash in big when the market goes up again.

With the market slumping, we tried to draw inspiration from previous downturns and see which stocks were the big winners during those times. When the economy isn’t doing well, people adjust their behavior to the times.

Consumers purchase cheaper products, try to save money doing more of their own home and auto repairs, look for ‘low cost’ luxuries – from eating out, toys or even a budget vacation – but also maintain critical spending on healthcare.

While past performance can’t give us any guarantees for the future, looking at previous recessions and considering how consumers and businesses c...