Will 2016 Be the Year the Great Bull Market Died?

Global stock markets sank almost across the board Thursday as pessimism over falling oil prices and another dive on Wall Street held sway, despite some data showing economies are on the mend.

The dismal start to 2016 on Wall Street got a lot worse Wednesday when the Dow closed down more than 364 points. 

There's a saying in the market that data cannot overcome sentiment, and even some good economic numbers can't seem to overcome the fact investors have a bad feeling about this economy.

Oil prices at 12-year lows -- great news for drivers but not for the U.S. oil industry -- and a volatile start to 2016 in China's stock and currency markets have unleashed a wave of negativity among investors.

Some analysts say a correction in stock prices is inevitable after years of gains with few serious pullbacks.

January is usually a reliable indicator of how the year goes. If the market falls in January, that's a sign it could well be down for the year.

Now, halfway through this month, it looks more and more as if we could see a down market in 2016.