Are we in a bull market right now? How to tell

Identifying when a bull market begins or ends is sometimes challenging, given the nature of stock prices and how rapidly they can move up or down.

[{"selector":"#anim-7961b03b-9282-4eb4-b28c-0b63514a33a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d810b81-ad0b-473e-a2ca-e6ac3033f9f3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Generally, there are three indicators that stock experts use to determine whether a bull market exists.

[{"selector":"#anim-7e153f1b-3dd0-4a3d-b4ab-26971c207f9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60d912cd-d338-4def-be57-abcec78284f1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

– Stock prices, or prices for a broad market index, have increased by 20% or more over a set period of time, typically two months or longer.

[{"selector":"#anim-6055cb0b-6abf-4a92-8710-1a640b1a0d14","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17a8c1a2-6cbc-4fef-8722-5dbe5240983e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Medium Brush Stroke Learn more

– Investor confidence is high and those buying into the market have an optimistic outlook toward the future.

[{"selector":"#anim-4b8a46c0-c79c-4e4c-837f-481512bf87d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e720797-3cb5-4051-bb9e-81615a982fbe","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

– Overall economic conditions are largely positive, with low unemployment rates and, ideally, low inflation rates as well.

[{"selector":"#anim-a7c41ea9-c783-44c9-9f87-f2574f7dda7f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96e7f894-a969-460e-8b32-315dc14af040","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Medium Brush Stroke Learn more

SWIPE UP NOW TO READ MORE!

[{"selector":"#anim-13e1c5eb-1b35-49fb-861f-51c45dc3b9ce","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5831a1a1-a7dd-43d5-844f-5faf81d97584","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free quiz matches you with fiduciary financial advisors in your area or who serve your area. If you are ready to be matched with financial advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, take the quiz now.

[{"selector":"#anim-596390cf-a3dc-43ec-b707-e87092426d17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6051900f-a666-4753-830c-fce8e6d85afd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc86c309-8cdd-4e99-815e-518a38fc8d3f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74dd20c7-3783-4300-851b-fafb6ed14d49","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 99.16371%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] How to lower your energy bill without touching your thermostat These are the most stolen cars in America