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Question

How do stocks do in a midterm election year?

Short answer

Midterm years have been the weakest year of the four-year cycle, averaging +3.33%, but their fourth quarter has been strong: +5.55% on average, up in 83% of 24 cases.

Over the 12 months after a midterm-year September the S&P 500 averaged +17.09%. 2026 is a midterm year. Presidential cycle study.

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Not investment advice. Market Seasonality publishes historical statistics, news summaries and scenario analysis for information and education. Past patterns do not guarantee future results. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any asset, and scenarios describe possible paths without predicting them. See the disclaimer and methodology.