The Stock Market Is Doing Something Observed Only 6 Times Since 1871 -- and the Previous 5 Occurrences Ended in Disaster for Wall Street
History can be a powerful teaching tool, with past events on Wall Street having the uncanny ability of foreshadowing the future.
Overview
Statistically, the stock market is the greatest wealth creator on the planet. When compared to the annualized returns of bonds, commodities, and real estate, the average annual returns of the ageless Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), benchmark S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), and technology-driven Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) are notably higher.
Depending on your perspective, history can be a powerful teaching tool. While history can't guarantee what's to come, past events have an uncanny track record of foreshadowing the future more often than not on Wall Street.
Details
At the moment, we're witnessing history in more ways than one. In addition to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite vaulting to record highs since early June, the stock market has reached a dubious mark that's only been achieved six times since January 1871. The previous five occurrences serve as a stark warning to Wall Street and investors.
Source
Originally published at www.fool.com.