The current bull run was outpacing the biggest bull market ever over the first 223 market days (2024)

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14 September 2023 finder.com

- The biggest bull market was the tech boom bull market (2009-2020), returning 582% over 12 years and 4 months
- The current bull market, starting on the 12th of October 2022, has returned more than the tech boom bull market in its first 223 market days
-3 out of the 5 biggest bull markets recorded happened between the years 1975 and 2000

The S&P 500 is currently in a bull market that began on the 12th of October 2022 and has grown by 26% in its first 223 market days (September 1st). In contrast, the most successful bull market ever, the tech boom bull market, only saw returns of 24% during the same timeframe.

Personal finance website finder.com looked at the history of the S&P 500 to find the 5 biggest bull markets and see how they compare to the current bull market. This chart compares the length and size of the top 5 bull markets throughout history of the S&P 500.

The tech boom bull market returned a stunning 582% and lasted a total of 4494 days (12 years and 4 months), making it the biggest and longest bull market ever recorded. This period of sustained growth started in 1987 and ended dramatically with the dot-com bust.

The post-financial crisis recovery bull market was the second biggest bull market ever and returned 401%. This bull market came off the back of the second biggest crash between 2007 and 2009 and was part of the long and slow recovery. The period of growth lasted 3999 days (11 years) and came to a halt at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.

During the post-World War II bull market, the S&P 500 grew 266% as a result of global recovery after the war. This positive period lasted 2607 days, (7 years and 1 month) and is the only bull market on this list that came after a war.

The Reaganomics bull market saw the S&P 500 increase by 229%. A rapid period of growth occurred due to stark neoliberal economic policy throughout the Reagan era. This bull market lasted 1839 days (5 years) and ended a few months before Black Monday in 1987, the worst day in the history of the stock market; on Black Monday the S&P 500 dropped by over 20% in a day.

The mid 1970s to early 1980s bull market came off the back of the oil shocks in the early 70s, and returned 125% by 1980. This period lasted 2247 days, (6 years and 2 months). Interestingly, the Reaganomics bull market was over a year shorter than the 1970s-1980s bull market, whilst returning almost double the amount of growth.

Commenting on the findings, deputy editor George Sweeney (DipFA) said:

It’s pretty amazing to see that the current recovery of 26% after 223 days is outpacing the 24% return for the same timeframe at the start of the biggest historical S&P 500 bull market. However, investors shouldn’t get complacent. Although these recovery bull markets are an excellent opportunity to build wealth, they don’t last forever. On average, 1,102 days, just over 3 years.

As the adage goes, investors should make hay while the sun shines and try not to miss out on rebuilding market growth. Yet, they should also be prepared to buckle up for another crash (followed by a bear market) at some stage. How long we get between these moments of despair and joy fluctuates. So, investors must keep a cool head, be patient, and stay invested for the long haul.

The list of the 5 biggest bull markets in the history of the S&P 500:

Rank

Bull Markets

Start date

End date

Days

Years

Return

#1

Tech boom bull market (1987-2000)

4th December 1987

24th March 2000

4494

12.3

582.15%

#2

Post-financial crisis recovery bull market (2009-2020)

9th March 2009

19th February 2020

3999

11.0

400.52%

#3

Post-World War II expansion bull market (1949-1956)

13th June 1949

2nd August 1956

2607

7.1

266.35%

#4

Reaganomics bull market (1982-1987)

12th August 1982

25th August 1987

1839

5.0

228.81%

#5

Mid 1970s to early 1980s bull market (1974-1981)

3rd October 1974

28th November 1980

2248

6.2

125.63%

######
Research methodology:

We collected the start and end dates of the biggest bull markets in the history of the S&P 500, along with the exact number of days each bull market lasted and their returns, based on the definition of a bull market as a rise of 20% or more from the lowest close reached after a market decline to the next market high.

The current bull run was outpacing the biggest bull market ever over the first 223 market days (2)

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The current bull run was outpacing the biggest bull market ever over the first 223 market days (2024)

FAQs

The current bull run was outpacing the biggest bull market ever over the first 223 market days? ›

The S&P 500 is currently in a bull market that began on the 12th of October 2022 and has grown by 26% in its first 223 market days (September 1st). In contrast, the most successful bull market ever, the tech boom bull market, only saw returns of 24% during the same timeframe.

When was the biggest bull market? ›

Key Takeaways. The current bull market that started in March 2009 is the longest bull market in history. It's topped the bull market of the 1990s that lasted 113 months.

What happened with the bull market? ›

The current bull market started in October 2022, when the S&P 500 reached its most recent low. Since then, the index has swelled about 35 percent.

What is the bull run market? ›

A bull market (aka a bull run) is a long, extended period in the market when overall stock prices are on the rise. "Bull markets happen when the economy is strengthening, and stock prices are rising," says Teresa J.W.

Are we currently in a bull market? ›

This month we are examining how the current bull market, which began in October 2022, compares to past bull markets (defined as at least a 30% rally off previous lows). Using the daily closing price of the lows reached in October 2022, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has rallied 33% in 17 months.

Are we in a bull market in 2024? ›

With stock indexes at all-time highs, it seems we are in the midst of a new bull market. While much of the market's recent gains have come from a handful of stocks, the rally has begun to broaden in recent months. Expectations of an earnings rebound in 2024 suggest earnings could continue to drive the market higher.

What caused the bull market? ›

Bull markets typically occur with a growing economy, as rising corporate profits translate into rising stock prices.

Is a bull market good or bad? ›

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.

Why did the bull market crash? ›

Among the more prominent causes were the period of rampant speculation (those who had bought stocks on margin not only lost the value of their investment, they also owed money to the entities that had granted the loans for the stock purchases), tightening of credit by the Federal Reserve (in August 1929 the discount ...

How did bull market affect the economy? ›

In the case of equity markets, a bull market denotes a rise in the prices of companies' shares. In such times, investors often have faith that the uptrend will continue over the long term. In this scenario, the country's economy is typically strong and employment levels are high.

How long will a bull run last? ›

Because prices of securities rise and fall essentially continuously during trading, the term "bull market" is typically reserved for extended periods in which a large portion of security prices are rising. Bull markets tend to last for months or even years.

Is Bitcoin on a bull run? ›

Cyclical indicators for Bitcoin suggest we are presently in the middle of the bull run—using a baseball analogy, perhaps around the fifth inning—with room for continued growth based on current trends. Considering the array of positive fundamental developments, it appears likely that the bull run will persist.

Is a new bull market starting? ›

This is often called a bear market rally. Second, the market should hit a new all-time high. That additional milestone adds more substance to the idea that the market has shifted to a new growth phase. Therefore, the bull market technically started back in October 2022.

Should I pull my money out of the stock market? ›

Key Takeaways. While holding or moving to cash might feel good mentally and help avoid short-term stock market volatility, it is unlikely to be wise over the long term. Once you cash out a stock that's dropped in price, you move from a paper loss to an actual loss.

Will the bull run continue? ›

Representative image showing a stock market digital graph. This week marks the start of a new financial year where the market is expected to continue with its bullish momentum of last week and is likely to hit new highs, surpassing its previous high of 22526 levels.

Is a bull market positive? ›

A bull market is an extended period of time when stock prices rise and investors are optimistic. Bull markets can last for months or even years, and stocks tend to outperform other investments like bonds.

When was the best bull market? ›

Bull Market of 1987-2000: The Roaring 1990s

The booming U.S. economy of the 1990s was fueled by the end of the Cold War and the dawn of the Internet Age. This 12-year bull market is the longest-lasting bull market in S&P 500 history, and the index's 582% cumulative return is the highest of any bull market on our list.

When was the bull market boom? ›

Historic bull markets

As an example, consider the 2009-2020 bull market, which was the longest in stock market history. After plunging as a result of the 2008 financial crisis, the S&P 500 bottomed out in March 2009 and then proceeded to climb until early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic sent stocks crashing.

What is the longest bear market in history? ›

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%.

Was the 1930s a bull market or a bear market? ›

The longest bear market spanned 61 months from 1937 to 1942 during the Great Depression.

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