Part 4/11:
Interestingly, historical analysis shows that every period of marked investor caution over the past decade would have, in hindsight, simply delayed the inevitable collapse. The recent surge in options trading and margin debt raises doubts about the longevity of this rally and whether we might be on the brink of a significant correction.
Long-Term Gains Amidst Economic Struggles
A deeper look at market performance offers some context. Over the past decade, the S&P 500 has returned 235%, a rare feat that last occurred in the late 1990s, early 1960s, and briefly in the 1920s. Such stellar gains are unusual, especially when contrasted with US consumer sentiment.