What is a Bull Market
A bull market is occurring when stock prices are generally trending upward. These periods are marked by investor optimism and confidence. During bull markets, the economy is usually healthy, unemployment is low or trending lower, consumer spending is rising, and average enterprise sales and profits are rising. Bullish investors believe the upward trend will persist for the foreseeable future and thus tend to keep purchasing more stocks. The combination of a healthy economy, business growth, and investor confidence creates a cycle in which stocks gain value over time -- sometimes for many years.
The bull as a symbol is derived from the manner in which the animal attacks. A bull tends to charge with its horns thrusting upward into the air.