Bull Market
A descriptive label for a sustained market advance, not an official threshold or reliable timing signal.
A bull market is a sustained rise in prices across a broad market or selected asset group. A 20% increase from a prior low is a common media convention, but definitions, indexes, dates, currencies, inflation treatment, and inclusion of dividends vary.
๐ Current Market Indicators
Updated August 04, 2026VIX Level: Normal (16.0)
Normal range โ typical market conditions.
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Values may be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 20% rise the official definition of a bull market?
No. It is a widely used convention rather than a universal rule. Analysts may use different indexes, closing dates, intraday levels, currencies, total-return measures, or economic criteria.
Do historical bull-market averages predict the current one?
No. Duration and return averages depend on sample period, index, dating method, inflation, dividends, and survivorship. They are descriptions of past samples, not forecasts.
Should investors increase risk because a bull market has begun?
No mechanical portfolio action follows from the label. Allocation should reflect objectives, valuation, diversification, liquidity needs, taxes, horizon, and risk capacity.
Does a bull market mean the economy is strong?
Not necessarily. Markets discount expectations and can rise during weak current data, policy support, falling rates, or concentrated gains. Market breadth and economic conditions can diverge.