A modicum of confidence returned to markets in July, as U.S. and European stocks erased losses inked in the frenzy of prior months and investors took heart that slow growth is better than none at all, dumping gold and the U.S. dollar in light of this more sanguine view.

U.S. stocks are unlikely to break above a key technical level next week unless monthly jobs data and consumer company results paint a more promising picture of the recovery.

U.S. stocks closed little changed on Friday, but Wall Street wrapped up its best month in a year after the earnings season rounded the final turn with a group of strong results that offset the impact of poor economic data.

Stocks have fallen 17% from their April highs. A 20% decline is commonly viewed as a bear market. Is it time to bear market proof your portfolio? How can you detect the onset of major declines before it is too late?