# S&P 500 marks four years of bull-market gains as index more than doubles

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/s-p-500-marks-four-years-of-bull-market-gains-as-index-more-than-doubles-64999a
- Published: 2026-10-12T11:05:22Z
- Category: markets; sentiment: bullish; impact: high
- Symbols: [SP:SPX](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/SP-SPX)
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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The S&P 500 is marking the fourth anniversary of its current bull market. The index closed at 3,577 on October 12, 2022, its final bear-market low, and has since risen to 7,811, a gain of nearly 120%. It was recently quoted at 7,812, up 0.59% for the day.

Resilient consumer spending and labor markets helped support stocks through inflation and higher interest rates. Strong double-digit earnings growth also encouraged investors to pay higher prices for future profits.

Artificial intelligence has been another major driver, benefiting semiconductor companies, hyperscalers, power grids and utilities. Market gains have become concentrated among a smaller group of companies, while analysts cited higher interest rates—not fears of slowing economic growth—as a factor behind weaker breadth. Investors will be watching whether the bull market can continue through 2027.

## Key points

- The S&P 500 has gained nearly 120% since its October 12, 2022 closing low.
- The index reached 7,811 in the story, compared with 3,577 at the bear-market low.
- Resilient consumer spending and labor markets supported the market during inflation and rate hikes.
- AI investment has benefited semiconductors, hyperscalers, power grids and utilities.
- Market gains have become concentrated among a smaller group of companies.

## Questions and answers

### How much has the S&P 500 gained since October 2022?

The S&P 500 has gained nearly 120% since closing at 3,577 on October 12, 2022, its final bear-market low.

### What has driven the S&P 500 bull market?

Resilient consumer spending and labor markets, strong earnings growth, higher valuations and AI-related investment have supported the advance.

### Why has S&P 500 market breadth weakened?

Market gains have become concentrated among fewer companies, with higher interest rates cited as a factor behind weaker breadth.