After a 2022 in the doldrums and a 2023 of recovery, investors finally were able to cheer this month. That's because the S&P 500 reached a new high, signaling we are indeed in a bull market. These sorts of markets only can be declared after they've begun. That's because, to be in bull territory, an index must climb 20% from its bear market low and reach a record high.

But that doesn't mean you're missing out on bull market gains if you only start investing right now. If we take a look into the past, history shows us bull markets generally last much longer than bear markets -- nearly nine years compared with 1.4 years, according to data compiled by Raymond James & Associates.

And the data also show that during the past bull markets from the mid-1970s to the present, each bull market has delivered triple-digit gains. In fact, the S&P 500 climbed more than 280% over a period of about eight years during that last such phase. So, history suggests the S&P 500 -- so far up about 35% since its bear market low -- may advance in the triple digits during this bull market. Here are three top growth stocks to buy before it does.

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Source Fool.com