During what phase do prices typically rise steadily in a bull market?

The correct response is that prices typically rise steadily during the accumulation phase in a bull market. This phase represents the period when savvy investors and market professionals begin to buy shares at lower prices, anticipating future gains. Often, this occurs after a market decline or a prolonged period of stagnation, where the sentiment is still cautious, but the trend is starting to shift.

During the accumulation phase, demand begins to outweigh supply, leading to gradual price increases as more buyers enter the market. Traders recognizing that a bottom has been reached will frequently participate in this phase, contributing to a steady rise in prices as optimism begins to build.

In contrast, the final explosive move refers to the stage toward the end of a bull market when prices may surge rapidly due to speculative investing or euphoric sentiment without solid fundamentals supporting further gains. The panic phase indicates heightened fear and selling in response to market downturns, while the distribution phase signifies a transition where institutional investors sell off shares to capture profits after prices have risen, leading to a potential reversal in trend as they offload their positions.