How did the bull market affect the stock market?
Usually, a bull market marks a 20% rise in stock prices, which follows a previous 20% decline and is followed by another 20% decline. As you can see from the chart below, there was a bull market that began in 2003 and ended when the S&P 500 hit its peak in 2007.
And in bull markets, which occur when investment prices are on the rise for sustained periods, confidence is soaring. Propelled by the thriving economies and low unemployment that usually accompany bull markets, investors are eager to buy or hold onto securities, thus creating a buyer's market.
The bull market lasted only as long as investors continued putting new money into it. In September 1929, the market peaked. Prices then began an uneven downward slide. As investors decided the boom was over, they sold more stock, causing prices to decline even further.
A bull market is the condition of a financial market in which prices are rising or are expected to rise. The term "bull market" is most often used to refer to the stock market but can be applied to anything that is traded, such as bonds, real estate, currencies, and commodities.
These bull markets have lasted a median of 42 months on average and seen stock market values (as shown by the S&P 500 stock index) rise by a median of 87% over their run. In several bull markets, the S&P 500 grew by over 100%, more than doubling the values of portfolios that received the entire return.
A bull market ends when stocks fall 20 percent below their last high — a period known as a bear market. The last time the S&P 500 entered a bear market was in 2022, as investors recoiled in the face of stubborn inflation and rising interest rates.
The opposite of a bull market is a bear market, which is typically defined as stocks falling by 20% or more from a recent peak. Bear markets are often accompanied by recessions, falling investor confidence, and declines in corporate profits.
Rank | Bull Markets | Return |
---|---|---|
1 | Tech boom bull market (1987-2000) | 582.15% |
2 | Post-financial crisis recovery bull market (2009-2020) | 400.52% |
3 | Post-World War II expansion bull market (1949-1956) | 266.35% |
4 | Reaganomics bull market (1982-1987) | 228.81% |
Is a bull market good or bad? A bull market is generally a good thing because it can indicate economic growth and optimism among business and consumers.
Is it better to invest in a bull market or a bear market? In general, bull markets are a better time to invest. Yes, stock prices are higher, but it's an overall less risky time to invest. You'll have a greater chance of selling assets for a higher value than when you bought them.
How long do bull markets usually last?
3. How long the average bull market lasts. As much as investors would like the answer to this question to be "forever," bull markets tend to run for just under four years. The average bull market duration, since 1932, is 3.8 years, according to market research firm InvesTech Research.
Bulls go bigger — Both bull and bear markets are normal and common. The S&P 500 Index has experienced 27 of each since 1928 (FIGURE 1), although bulls have tended to be stronger and longer. On average, bull markets have gained 115% over 2.7 years while bear markets have lost 35% and lasted less than a year.
Economic growth actually accelerated above its 10-year average in 2023. That resilience, coupled with a fascination about artificial intelligence (AI), changed investors' collective mood. The S&P 500 soared throughout the year and finally reached a new high in January 2024, making the new bull market official.
A bull market is when stock prices are on the rise and economically sound, while a bear market is when prices are in decline. The origin of these expressions is unclear, but one reason could be that bulls attack by bringing their horns upward, while bears attack by swiping their paws downward.
A bull market is not uni-directional. But as long as the bull market is intact, the momentum is up. You should always stay on the same side of momentum. So, you can buy high and wait for the stock to go higher; or you can use dips to buy.
Economic downturn or recession
However, economic indicators can change, and if there are signs of an economic downturn or recession, it can trigger a reversal in market sentiment. Factors such as slowing economic growth, rising inflation, or geopolitical tensions can contribute to the end of a bull run.
Bull Market Period | Duration | Total S&P 500 Return |
---|---|---|
October 2002 to October 2007 | 60 months | +101.5% |
March 2009 to February 2020 | 132 months | +400.5% |
March 2020 to January 2022 | 21 month | +114.4% |
October 2022 to present | 10 months | +24.8% |
However, as a singular event, the stock market crash itself did not cause the Great Depression that followed. In fact, only approximately 10 percent of American households held stock investments and speculated in the market; yet nearly a third would lose their lifelong savings and jobs in the ensuing depression.
In fact, bull markets often begin when conditions appear most challenging. This highlights the importance of staying invested and making disciplined, appropriate adjustments throughout the downturns to help put you in a position to best participate in the upside as the transition to a new bull market occurs.
The average Bull Market period lasted 6.6 years with an average cumulative total return of 339%. From when the index closes at least 20% down from its previous high close, through the lowest close reached after it has fallen 20% or more.
How long does a bear market last?
The duration of bear markets can vary, but on average, they last approximately 289 days, equivalent to around nine and a half months. It's important to note that there's no way to predict the timing of a bear market with complete certainty, and history shows that the average bear market length can vary significantly.
Analysts say a take-off in the equity markets is typically marked by low inflation, low interest rates, earning yield to bond yield more than 1.5, historical valuation multiples like price to book value (P/BV) ratio, easy monetary policy, high liquidity, buybacks, dearth of new IPOs and weak hands vs strong hands ( ...
Here's how long they typically last. It's official.
The longest bear market lingered for three years, from 1946 to 1949. Taking the past 12 bear markets into consideration, the average length of a bear market is about 14 months. How bad has the average bear been? The shallowest bear market loss took place in 1990, when the S&P 500 lost around 20%.
Bear Market Period | Duration | Total S&P 500 Decline |
---|---|---|
March 2000 to October 2002 | 31 months | -49% |
October 2007 to March 2009 | 17 months | -56% |
February 2020 to March 2020 | 1 month | -34% |
January 2022 to October 2022 | 10 months | -25% |
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