According to your definition of bull and bear markets, there are no bear markets on this chart. You are incorrect on an order of the first magnitude.
That's what the smart guy does as well... if it doesn't perform chuck it out. Trackers work in the same way... I do too... They get replaced with something that has more potential. Also, if a company goes bankrupt it goes to zero on the DOW, but then another company gets added, but the moment of replacement isn't affecting the DOW level itself... so that should be a true reflection.
IMO yes. Everyone has been getting ready for a rise. If it doesn't happen.. again... to me it means something is wrong. There will be uncertainty and I think the certainty of a slow rise in rates is better than the uncertainty of postponing again and FED not being straight. But that's my opinion...
I haven't looked at the long term charts in a while. WOW! Can't believe this could really be a start of a new bull market.. Or the biggest head fake ever. Time will tell
At just +7% per year increase, DOW could be at 26,000 in 4 years. We were 6000 pts lower at 14000 less than 3 years ago.
Still on track for a big push. These interest rate rises will take a few years to start creating waves