S&P 500 Marks 1-Year Since Bear Market Low, But Gains Driven by Handful of Stocks

Thursday marks 1-year anniversary of S&P 500's bear market low on Oct. 12, 2022. S&P 500 exited bear market on June 8.

In 1st year since Oct. low, S&P 500 up 22.4% - weakest 1st year bull market gain since 1987 crash recovery.

Current bull market rally driven by handful of stocks like Nvidia, up 307% in past year. Equal-weighted S&P 500 up just 11%.

Some unsure if new bull market has begun since S&P 500 still below January 2022 record high. Others say rising rates/yields could end bull market.

Historically returns positive through September led to full year gains 96% of time for S&P 500. Key is avoiding worst performers.