The Most Consistent Seasonal Patterns in the S&P 500 | With Statistics

Excluding the specifics of the decennial and presidential cycles, the average annual cycle of the S&P 500 since 2004 reveals five consistent seasonal periods, three of which are suitable for high-probability swing trades (90%+):

 

 S&P 500 average annual cycle (2014-2024).

Since the S&P rises 70% of the time, bearish trends are less consistent than bullish ones.

# 1: Mid-February to Late-March Decline: Price action shows an important top between February 14 and 15, followed by a bearish trend lasting into March 20. 

 

 Bearish from February 14-15 High to March 20 Low (2004-2023).

Average move lower: -2.35% (during 12 out of 20 years, down = 60%).

[ ¡ stats in tab referring to February 15 to March 1 (not March 20) - typo, error ?]

# 2: Late-March Rebound: Over the past 20 years, the S&P 500 has risen 18 times between March 23 and April 27.

 

 Bullish from March 23 Low to April 27 High (2004-2023).

Average move higher: +4.78% (during 18 out of 20 years, up = 90%).

# 3: July Rally: Since 2009, the S&P 500 has always risen between June 27 and July 25. Not most years. Every single year.

 

 Bullish from June 29 Low to July 25 High (2009-2023).

Average move higher: +4.27% (during 15 out of 15 years, up = 100%).

 

# 4: September Chop: Lack of clear bullish or bearish trends; tentatively sideways to down.

 

September chop between September 1 High to September 30 Low (2009-2023).

Average move higher: +2.77%. Average move lower: -2.63% (during 8 out of 15 years, down = 53%).

# 5: November Rally:  S&P 500 consistently rising since 2004 and averaging a 4.88% gain.

 

Bullish from October 25 Low to November 30 High (2004-2023)

Average move higher: +4.88% (during 18 out of 20 years, up = 90%).

Reference:

BeSomebodyFX (January 14, 2025) - The S&P 500's Most Consistent Seasonal Patterns. With statistics.

 

 S&P 500 Seasonality (2000-2025).

 

February averaged 0.1% gain over the past 

five decades, with positive results at 56%.

 

Median Monthly Flow into Equity Mutual Funds and ETFs

as a % of total Assets Under Management (1996-January 2025).