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S&P 500 seasonality: the best and worst months
Since 1957, the S&P 500's strongest month on average has been November (+1.77%) and its weakest September (−0.81%). Below: every month's average and median return, how often it rose, and the strongest and weakest days of the year.
Average monthly return of the S&P 500, 1957 to last month. Strongest month outlined.
Every month
| Month | Average | Median | Years up | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | +1.10% | +1.59% | 61% | 69 |
| February | +0.00% | +0.20% | 52% | 69 |
| March | +0.88% | +1.35% | 64% | 69 |
| April | +1.56% | +1.18% | 71% | 70 |
| May | +0.49% | +1.11% | 64% | 70 |
| June | +0.11% | +0.08% | 54% | 70 |
| July | +1.00% | +1.14% | 56% | 70 |
| August | +0.20% | +1.17% | 59% | 70 |
| September | −0.81% | −0.47% | 43% | 70 |
| October | +0.99% | +1.40% | 61% | 69 |
| November | +1.77% | +2.15% | 71% | 69 |
| December | +1.26% | +1.26% | 71% | 69 |
Strongest and weakest days of the year
| Strongest days | Avg | Up |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 26 | +0.55% | 82% |
| Oct 28 | +0.53% | 70% |
| Nov 24 | +0.51% | 79% |
| Apr 9 | +0.49% | 64% |
| Apr 17 | +0.43% | 69% |
| Weakest days | Avg | Up |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19 | −0.58% | 44% |
| Nov 19 | −0.35% | 43% |
| Sep 29 | −0.35% | 44% |
| Jan 20 | −0.33% | 39% |
| Oct 22 | −0.32% | 35% |
Average one-day return on each calendar date, across every year it was a trading day.
See every S&P 500 day in the calendar →