When examined over extended periods, the stock market is a big-time moneymaker. But over shorter timeframes, things become a lot less predictable.

Since this decade began, Wall Street's three major stock indexes have bounced back and forth between bull and bear markets. These vacillations have been especially pronounced for the growth-driven Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC), which plunged 33% in 2022 and has gained nearly 25% on a year-to-date basis, as of the closing bell on Nov. 1. Despite this sizable gain, the index responsible for lifting the broader market to new heights in 2021 remains 19% below its record-closing high.

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Source Fool.com