The Stock Market Has Done This 7 Times Since 1990. It Signals a Big Move in 2026, Historically Speaking.

Core Viewpoint - The Nasdaq Composite has shown strong performance, returning at least 20% for three consecutive years, with a notable increase of 43.4% in 2023, 28.6% in 2024, and 20.3% in 2025, indicating potential for continued growth into 2026 as the current bull market progresses [2]. Historical Performance - The Nasdaq Composite reached a peak of 20,173 on December 16, 2024, before entering bear market territory, closing over 24% below its record high on April 8, 2025. This low point marked the beginning of a new bull market, the seventh since 1990 [4]. - The Nasdaq has increased by 54% since the current bull market began in April 2025, and historical trends suggest further gains are likely before the bull market concludes [6]. Bull Market Characteristics - A bull market is defined as starting when a bear market reaches its lowest point, requiring a 20% increase from that low and a new record high to be confirmed [5]. - The Nasdaq Composite has historically returned an average of 71% in the first year and 17% in the second year of a bull market, with an average return of 281% across the last six bull markets over approximately five years [9][10]. Investment Opportunities - Investors can gain exposure to the Nasdaq Composite through index funds such as the Fidelity Nasdaq Composite ETF or the Invesco QQQ ETF [8].