The correct answer is      (D.)  Between +1000% and +3500%

Back in 2002, downtrodden investors were willing to sell quality companies like Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) for a split-adjusted $5 per share, or Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) for just $12 per share. Forward-looking investors who took advantage of the rampant pessimism have since been rewarded. Apple investors have amassed a +1360% gain, while Research In Motion shareholders are sitting on a gain of +3110%.

The lesson is that for value investors, the words "full panic mode" can be music to the ears. After all, when bearish sentiment reaches a crescendo and investors can't exit their positions fast enough, shopping is good. Obviously, this can set the stage for a dramatic turnaround once investors realize that the sky isn't falling.

Unfortunately, these rare buying opportunities only come around once or twice a decade. In the postwar era, the market has been disrupted by roughly a dozen bear markets of varying intensity. On average, these downturns have lasted about ten months peak to trough. However, even the most notorious all eventually gave way to sharp rallies. The last time the market recovered from a bear in late 2002, stocks bounced back almost +30% over the next 12 months. Few would turn their nose up at that type of gain today.

Considering the current sell-off has been even more brutal than the last for many stocks, the time may be fast approaching to embark on a similar treasure hunt.

With all of this in mind, StreetAuthority editor Nathan Slaughter has been on the lookout for stocks that have been dumped in the 50%-off bucket. Instead of collecting beaten up banks or unproven small-caps, Nathan focused on established, profitable companies with identifiable competitive advantages. In his latest issue of the Half-Priced Stocks newsletter, Nathan zeroes in on six of these unfairly punished companies whose long-term fundamental outlooks are the same today as they were 12 months ago before the market began its downward slide -- and each could spike +30%-or-more when the bear decides to go back into hibernation. To learn the names of these stocks, and to learn more about the Half-Priced Stocks newsletter, please visit this link.