Where Does This Bull Market Rank?

Many people are worried about the stock market rally since 2009 because they say it’s gone on too long and has to reverse soon. May not. Bespoke Investments prepared a couples of tables of the longest and strongest bull markets. Looking only at the results, this bull market could continue for a while yet before it breaks records. You can argue that the fundamentals of the current economy and corporate results don’t compare with those of the other periods, but it’s hard to argue that the length and extent of this rally require it to peak soon.

In terms of duration, the current bull market still ranks at number seven on the list.  With today’s new high, though, it is now less than a month away from taking out the 1982 – 1987 period as the sixth longest of all time.  If the S&P 500 can hit a new high any time after 3/22, the next target will be the bull market of 2002 through 2007.  In order to surpass that period and move into 5th place, the S&P 500 has to continue rallying through Memorial Day on 5/26.  While the bull market has already been impressive, moving into the top spot for longest bull markets on record is still a ways off.  In fact, the S&P 500 would have to go another 7+ years to 6/28/2021 in order to overtake the 1987-2000 bull market as the longest ever.