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The Santa Claus rally: Does the market really rally at the end of December?

The "Santa Claus rally" is the last five trading days of December plus the first two of January. Since 1957 the S&P 500 has risen over that stretch in 75% of years (52 of 69), by +1.20% on average.

06: +0.00%0607: −2.51%0708: +7.45%0809: +1.42%0910: +1.07%1011: +1.86%1112: +2.04%1213: +0.18%1314: −2.96%1415: −2.30%1516: +0.43%1617: +1.06%1718: +1.29%1819: +0.34%1920: +1.00%2021: +1.43%2122: +0.80%2223: −0.88%2324: −0.53%2425: −0.11%25
S&P 500 over the Santa Claus rally window, the last 20 years (year of the December).

Every year since 2006

YearReturn
2025−0.11%
2024−0.53%
2023−0.88%
2022+0.80%
2021+1.43%
2020+1.00%
2019+0.34%
2018+1.29%
2017+1.06%
2016+0.43%
2015−2.30%
2014−2.96%
2013+0.18%
2012+2.04%
2011+1.86%
2010+1.07%
2009+1.42%
2008+7.45%
2007−2.51%
2006+0.00%

Patterns describe the past and can stop working. Not investment advice.

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