Bull Market Enters Year Four as S&P 500 Stays Strong
It was October, three years ago, the bull market began on Wall Street, and it continues into year four, it appears. Back then, the S&P 500 hovered near the $3,500 mark. Now, after years of strong economic resilience and investor confidence, the market shows little sign of slowing down.
October of that first year also brought volatility. A wholesale price report caused some investors to fear continued inflation. On October 12, stocks initially sold off but rebounded before the day ended. “Stocks sold off early on the day, that was October the 12th, then closed higher. A rally on bad news, in hindsight, should have given investors a hint of what would follow.”
That reaction — rallying on negative news — has become something of a pattern throughout this bull run. It signaled strong underlying market sentiment and investors’ belief in long-term growth despite short-term headlines.
Fast forward three years, and the bull market’s still going strong. While there are always comparisons to previous cycles, analysts agree this one is special. “There are plenty of charts and analysis that compare this performance of previous bull markets, but the bottom line seems to be this bull market is, quote, ahead of schedule, according to many, and making the year four even better.”
That phrase — “ahead of schedule” — highlights how the current cycle has outperformed expectations. From technology stocks to energy, gains have been broad-based. Even with ongoing concerns about inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical tension, investors have shown confidence in corporate earnings and economic fundamentals.
Looking ahead, Wall Street will be watching closely as the fourth year of this bull market unfolds. Historically, year four can be mixed, especially with potential interest rate changes and election-year uncertainty on the horizon. But if this market’s track record continues, it may well keep surprising to the upside.
The strength of this long-term rally serves as a reminder that markets often move ahead of headlines — and that optimism, when paired with solid fundamentals, can be a powerful force.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.