Bull Market
Quick Answer
A bull market is a sustained period in which prices across a financial market or asset class generally rise. The term is most commonly associated with stocks, but it can also apply to bonds, commodities and other markets. A rise of 20% from a significant low is often used as a convention, not a universal rule.
How does a Bull Market work?
A bull market develops when buying demand remains strong enough to support a sustained upward trend in prices.
It may be associated with factors such as:
improving economic expectations;
stronger corporate earnings;
easier financial conditions;
greater investor confidence;
increased demand for risk assets.
Bull markets do not move upward in a straight line. Prices can experience corrections, periods of consolidation and temporary declines while the broader trend remains positive.
There is also no single universally accepted formula for identifying a bull market. In market commentary, a 20% rise from a previous low is often used as a practical threshold. CFA Institute research has used this convention in historical analysis, but academic definitions can differ.
Key features of a Bull Market
Several characteristics are commonly associated with bull markets:
Broadly rising prices: The dominant market direction is upward over a sustained period.
Positive investor sentiment: Confidence in future market conditions often improves.
Higher market participation: More investors may become willing to buy assets as prices and confidence rise.
Corrections can still occur: Temporary declines do not automatically end a bull market.
Different definitions exist: The 20% threshold is widely used but should be treated as a convention rather than an absolute law.
Duration varies: Bull markets can last months or years depending on market conditions.
For example, CFA Institute historically defined one set of equity bull markets as gains of at least 20% from a bear-market low lasting six months or more, illustrating that researchers may add duration requirements when conducting market studies.
Simple Bull Market example
Suppose a stock-market index falls to:
4,000 points
Over the following months, the index rises to:
4,900 points
The increase is:
4,900 − 4,000 = 900 points
Percentage increase:
900 ÷ 4,000 × 100 = 22.5%
Under the commonly used 20% convention, market commentators might describe this as a bull market.
However, this does not mean the index must rise every day.
For example, it could move:
4,000 → 4,500 → 4,300 → 4,700 → 4,900
The temporary fall from 4,500 to 4,300 would not necessarily invalidate the broader upward trend.
This example is illustrative only and does not represent actual FxGrow market data or a market forecast.
Potential benefits and uses
The concept of a bull market can help traders and investors describe the broader market environment.
It may be useful when analysing:
long-term market trends;
investor sentiment;
equity-market cycles;
risk appetite;
sector performance;
market momentum;
historical market periods.
Identifying the broader environment can also help distinguish between a short-term rally and a sustained upward market cycle.
However, the bull-market label is usually descriptive rather than predictive. It tells market participants what has happened over a period of time but does not guarantee that prices will continue rising.
Risks, limitations and common misconceptions
A common misconception is that a bull market means all assets rise.
It does not.
Individual companies, sectors or securities can fall even when a broad market index is advancing.
Another misconception is that prices rise continuously throughout a bull market. Pullbacks and corrections are normal and can occur without necessarily ending the broader upward trend.
The frequently quoted 20% rule should also not be treated as a strict financial law. Different analysts and researchers may use different thresholds, time periods or methodologies. CFA Institute research has explicitly discussed alternative ways of defining bull and bear markets.
A bull market should also not be confused with a market bubble. Prices can rise strongly because fundamentals and expectations improve, while a bubble generally refers to prices rising to levels that may be difficult to justify relative to underlying economic value.
Finally, past bull-market performance does not guarantee that future gains will continue. Valuations, economic conditions, interest rates, earnings expectations and investor sentiment can change.