S&P 500 Median Monthly Realized Volatility – Midterm Election Years vs. All Years Midterm years usually bring more turbulence to the S&P 500, particularly in October, while the market waits to see who ends up controlling Congress and how that reshapes taxes, regulation and spending. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 Seasonal Composite Midterm Election Year The S&P 500 Seasonal Composite still points to more upside for 2026, but the path could get choppy. U.S. stocks are entering their weakest seasonal stretch, which typically runs from mid-August to early October. Image: Nautilus Research
The Performance of the S&P 500 Before and After Midterm Elections History has been kind to investors after midterms. In all 20 midterm elections since World War II, the S&P 500 has been higher nine months later every time. Image: Deutsche Bank
S&P 500 Returns Around Midterm Elections Ahead of midterm elections, U.S. equities have often gone sideways, with volatility rising and performance typically improving after the vote as uncertainty fades. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 Index Returns vs. Drawdowns in Midterm Election Years Midterm years often test Wall Street’s nerve. Since 1930, the S&P 500 has typically fallen around 20% on average at some point, but those pullbacks have often marked the start of strong buying opportunities. Image: Ned Davis Research
S&P 500 – Seasonality During Bull vs. Bear Markets (Midterm Election Years Only) Bull markets don’t offer immunity. U.S. midterm election years tend to bring choppier trading and elevated volatility for the S&P 500 until late in the year. Image: Topdown Charts
S&P 500 Index Average Intra-Year Drawdown During Midterm Elections Midterm years often shake confidence on Wall Street. The S&P 500 usually slides 18% on average at some point during the year, but those downturns tend to open the door to compelling buying opportunities. Image: Bloomberg
Average Equity Fund Flow by Calendar Month Over the Past Decade Excluding U.S. Election Years History says year-end momentum has legs: outside U.S. election years, equity flows spike in December and stay strong through Q1—adding weight to the case for retail strength through early 2026. Image: J.P. Morgan Flows and Liquidity
Average Post-Election Year for S&P 500 In post-election years, U.S. stocks often hit bottom by late October — before ripping higher into year-end, a seasonal gift Wall Street can’t resist. Image: Carson Investment Research
S&P 500 Performance in August the Second Term of Post-Election Years August is often a weak month for the U.S. stock market during post-election years of second-term presidents, when their typically more difficult and less productive terms can erode investor confidence. Could this time be different? Image: Real Investment Advice
Seasonality – S&P 500 Index Performance Post-Election Years Since 1950, the U.S. stock market has historically shown strong performance in March, April, and May during post-election years, offering bulls reasons for optimism. Image: Carson Investment Research