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

Xetra

A trading venue operated by the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Read more

Money laundering

A method of moving money obtained illicitly through the financial system so it can be used legally.
Read more

S&P 500

Find out what is the definition of the S&P 500 index.
Read more

DMO

The United Kingdom Debt Management Office. It’s an executive agency responsible for managing the government’s debt and cash needs, primarily through issuing gilts and Treasury bills.
Read more

Bed & ISA

Understand what Bed and ISA is and how it works
Read more

Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS)

A set of standards which investors use to present their investment results.
Read more

United States Dollar (USD)

The famous greenback our friends in the US use as currency.
Read more

Gilt

What is a gilt?
Read more

Venture Capital

A type of financing that investors provide to startups, who sometimes announce getting said financing in TechCrunch, to big fanfare.
Read more

You’re just minutes away from commission-free investing

When you invest, your capital is at risk