The stock market has been getting back on its feet -- in fits and starts -- over the past few months following a sharp downturn in 2022 that saw investors hitting the sell button on account of slowing growth, recession fears, rising inflation, and a hawkish Federal Reserve.

The Nasdaq Composite has gained a little over 6% this year, and history tells us that the stock market could run much higher. The S&P 500's median returns in the six months following a bear market stand at almost 23% since 1925. The gains are even stronger, at 38%, in the 12 months following a bear market.

Of course, the past isn't an indicator of future performance, but the cooling inflation and a resilient U.S. economy could give the stock market the fuel it needs to go on a bull run in 2023.

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Source Fool.com