Is the Santa Claus rally real?
Over the last five trading days of December and the first two of January, the S&P 500 has averaged +1.60% since 1928 and risen in 76% of 98 years. A typical seven-session stretch averages +0.22% and rises 57% of the time.
The last five years have been weaker: 2025 -0.11%, 2024 -0.53%, 2023 -0.88%, 2022 +0.80%, 2021 +1.43%.
More on S&P 500. How to read these numbers: guide.
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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.