Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent bullish trend in A-shares and Hong Kong stocks, termed as the "confidence bull market," driven by unprecedented macro policies since late September 2024. It analyzes historical bull markets to identify patterns and potential future trends. Summary by Sections Historical Bull Market Analysis - A-shares bull markets require three conditions: policy shift, capital inflow, and low valuations, often starting amid controversy and despair, with subsequent valuation recovery igniting investor enthusiasm [6] - Bull markets typically go through three phases: policy-driven, capital-driven, and fundamental-driven, with initial phases less correlated to economic fundamentals [6] - A-shares exhibit characteristics of short bull markets and long bear markets, with average bull market duration of 17 months compared to 27 months for bear markets [8] - The first half of bull markets is primarily driven by policy, emotion, and capital, averaging 6.3 months with a 59% increase, led by technology, finance, and cyclical sectors [8] - Adjustments occur during bull markets due to various factors, but these adjustments can lead to stronger subsequent performance if sufficiently deep [8] - The second half of bull markets relies on economic fundamentals and corporate profit recovery, often resulting in a "Davis double play" where both valuation and profit growth occur [8] - Bull markets typically end due to high valuations, policy shifts, lack of new capital inflow, or economic recovery failures, often culminating in panic selling [8] Signals of Bull Market End - Key signals indicating the end of a bull market include: 1. Overvaluation, where high market valuations cannot be supported by corporate earnings [10] 2. Policy shifts that historically have marked the end of previous bull markets [13] 3. Absence of new capital inflow, which is crucial for sustaining market growth [15] 4. Economic recovery failures, where declining economic indicators lead to market downturns [15] Future Outlook - The current "confidence bull market" mirrors past bull markets, initiated during economic downturns with policy shifts and low valuations. Continued macro policy easing, interest rate cuts, and support for private sector investment are essential for sustaining this bull market [17] - The article emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of market signals, particularly regarding high valuations and potential policy changes, to avoid pitfalls associated with previous market cycles [18]