Bull Market Makes History

The current bull market - meaning the S&P 500 index has risen continuously without ever suffering a 20% drop - has now lasted for more than four years since it started in March 2009, or nearly 54 months. With an overall increase of 153 percent, that makes it the fifth-strongest bull market in modern history.

The four stronger ones:

• April 1942 through May 1946, the S&P rose 158 percent
• August 1982 through August 1987, the S&P rose 229 percent
• June 1949 through August 1956, the S&P rose 267 percent
• December 1987 through March 2000, the S&P rose 582 percent

As you can see, they fall into two groups, where one bull market followed closely behind another. So even if we do run into a 20 percent slide, it doesn't mean the good times are over.