According to analysts, the US stock market has already experienced most of the current bear market, but not all of it. Therefore, the current fall in stocks will last for some time before a new rally begins. Many have regarded the recent surge in the market as a potential start of a new bull market, but history shows that this rally may be a retreat. Traditionally, the average bear market since the Second World War lasted 14 months and led to a decline of 35.7% from previous highs. The current bear market has been going on for about 11 months and has fallen by 15%, which suggests that it has gone two-thirds of the way. At the same time, the S&P 500 index rose by 16% from its low in mid-October of 3491.58 points – on expectations that the US Federal Reserve will begin to reduce the pace of rate hikes, and inflation will slow down. And now the market has moved away from the October lows and returned to levels that require significant premiums to fair value. And even with the downturn this year, stock valuations still do not reflect the growing difficulties in the economy and still have not declined to the level seen during past recessions. The federal funds rate has risen from 0.0% to a range of 3.75% to 4%, and a sixth increase is expected to take place before the end of 2022. But at the same time, the Fed will slow down the rate of increase to 50 basis points.
