If we look at the S&P 500 chart from 1950 to 2010 (We made this chart the middle of 2010), we see that the S&P 500 Stock Market is now solidly within the mainstream price channel between the years 1950 and 2010. The peaks in 2000 and 2008 can be considered part of an unsustainable "Bubble" period.
Based on the charts, the current price channel (2011) appears to be somewhere between 500 and 1300 on the S&P 500. Over the long term, the trend still is up, but over many years, the S&P 500 might trade within this mainstream price channel for many years.
Stock Market To Stagnate for Years
In June 2010, we blogged about the US Stock Market stagnating for around five years within a Secular Bear Market. We still hold that view.
Lower Highs, Lower Lows, Violent Rallies in a Secular Bear Market
Since 2008, we appear to be making lower highs (around 1500 in 2008, and around 1370 on the S&P 500 in 2011), and maybe we'll be making lower lows.
If we are in a Secular Bear Market, this does not mean we will be going straight down in a straight line. There will be many tradeable and violent snapback rallies when we least expect it, but these will be Bull Markets within a Secular Bear Market.
