What is a bull market?

We explain what a 'bull market' means

A bull market is generally defined by a 20 per cent rise in the stock market that takes place after a 20 per cent drop in the market.

This is not a precise definition and ‘bull market’ is often used to describe a situation in which investors are upbeat, putting a lot of money into stocks and think that the economy is going to perform well for the foreseeable future.

Though it’s usually used in the context of the stock market, ‘bull market’ can be used to describe almost any area of investment. You might have a ‘real estate bull market’ or a ‘bull market in the fine wine industry.’

The term ‘bullish’ is also derived from ‘bull market.’ To be ‘bullish’ about a particular stock, industry or market just means that you are confident that it’s going to perform well and increase in value.

More terms

Volatility

A measure of how much the prices of an asset or index vary over time.
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Account balance

The amount of money a user has stored in a financial repository.
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Ponzi Scheme

A form of fraud designed to lure new investors, and pays the earlier backers by using the new investors' money.
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Dirty price

The total price payable on the purchase of a gilt. It’s calculated as the clean price plus accrued interest.
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Year to Date (YTD)

A period of time that starts with the first day of the current calendar year and ends with today.
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Costs and Charges

The money you pay when investing.
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Leverage

A method of trading using borrowed money that usually involves a very high level of risk.
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NYSE

The world's largest stock exchange. Wall St HQ.
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Gilt

What is a gilt?
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