π Published: March 22, 2026 | For informational purposes only β not financial advice.
π Key Takeaways
- Current S&P 500 bull market started October 2022 β ~3.4 years in (as of March 2026)
- Historical average bull market duration: ~4.4 years β still below average
- Longest bull market ever: 12.3 years (1987β2000)
- History says: “It’s too early to sell” β but corrections happen along the way
β What Is a Bull Market?
A bull market is defined as a period in which a major index rises 20% or more from its recent low without a 20%+ decline interrupting the run. The opposite β a 20%+ drop from the peak β is classified as a bear market.
π Source: Investopedia, “Bull Market” definition / U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
β‘ S&P 500 Historical Bull Markets β Complete Comparison Table
π Source: Bespoke Investment Group, Visual Capitalist, Sensible Financial, Motley Fool (2025)
| Start | End | Duration | Gain | Why It Ended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1949 | Aug 1956 | 86 mo (7.2 yr) | +267% | Economic overheating |
| Oct 1957 | Dec 1961 | 50 mo (4.2 yr) | +86% | Fed rate hikes |
| Jun 1962 | Feb 1966 | 44 mo (3.7 yr) | +80% | Inflation surge |
| Oct 1966 | Nov 1968 | 26 mo (2.2 yr) | +48% | Vietnam War / rate pressure |
| May 1970 | Jan 1973 | 32 mo (2.7 yr) | +74% | 1st Oil Shock |
| Oct 1974 | Nov 1980 | 74 mo (6.2 yr) | +126% | Volcker rate shock |
| Aug 1982 | Aug 1987 | 60 mo (5 yr) | +229% | Black Monday (Oct 1987) |
| Dec 1987 | Mar 2000 | 148 mo (12.3 yr) π Longest ever | +582% | Dot-com bubble burst |
| Oct 2002 | Oct 2007 | 60 mo (5 yr) | +101% | Subprime mortgage crisis |
| Mar 2009 | Feb 2020 | 131 mo (10.9 yr) | +400%+ | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Mar 2020 | Jan 2022 | 22 mo (1.8 yr) | +114% | Aggressive Fed rate hikes |
| Oct 2022 | Ongoing π΄ | ~41 mo (3.4 yr) | ~+83% | ? (Ongoing) |
β’ Key Statistics Summary
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 avg. bull market length (since 1942) | ~4.4 years | First Trust Portfolios |
| S&P 500 avg. bull market length (since 1929) | ~2.77 yr (1,011 days) | Bespoke Investment Group |
| Avg. bull market gain (post-WWII) | ~+152% | Bespoke Investment Group |
| Current bull market start | October 12, 2022 | Motley Fool, Verdence Capital |
| Current bull market gain | ~+83% | Futunn (Oct 2025 basis) |
| Current vs. historical average | 3.4 yr β still below avg 4.4 yr | Calculated: Oct 2022βMar 2026 |
β£ Conclusion: What Does History Actually Say?
Based purely on historical data, this bull market has not yet reached its average lifespan. That doesn’t mean “hold forever” β but it does mean the data doesn’t support panic selling right now.
π 3 Rules Every Investor Should Remember
- Bull markets always end eventually β no exceptions in recorded history
- Corrections (-10% to -20%) are normal within bull markets β don’t panic sell
- Time in market beats timing the market β long-term investors shouldn’t overreact to short-term drops
β οΈ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All investments involve risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
π Sources & References
- Bespoke Investment Group β “Bull & Bear Market Historical Data”
- Visual Capitalist β “Visualizing Every Bull and Bear Market Since 1926” (2023)
- First Trust Portfolios β “A History of Bull & Bear Markets” (2024)
- Motley Fool β “S&P 500 Bull Market Third Anniversary” (Oct 2025)
- Goldman Sachs Research β “2026 US Equity Outlook” (Nov 2025)
- Hartford Funds β “Bull and Bear Markets: A Closer Look” (2024)
- The Street β “S&P 500 Performance 2026” (Mar 2026)