The Dow in September
Posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007 | In Current Market NewsThe chart below, courtesy of Chart of the Day, illustrates the Dow Jones Industrial Index’s average performance for each calendar month since 1950 (blue bars) and 1980 (gray bars) respectively. While the strongest upward movement in stocks has historically occurred during the November to January period, September has proven to be the most difficult month for stocks. It is interesting to note how since 1980 the average gain for September has remained negative despite the fact that most of this period included a strong bull market.

These results are consistent with one of my earlier studies showing that the best time to be invested in equities is the six months from early November to the end of April, while the “bad” periods normally occur over the six months from May to October.
Let’s see whether September 2007 stacks up in accordance with the historical picture.
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![]() About Prieur du Plessis (http://www.investmentpostcards.com)
Prieur du Plessis has 25 years’ experience in professional investment research and portfolio management. More than 1,000 of his articles on investment-related topics have been published in various regular newspaper, journal and Internet columns. He has also published a book, Financial Basics: Investment. Prieur is chief executive and principal shareholder of South African-based Plexus Asset Management, which he founded in 1995. The group conducts investment management, investment consulting, private equity and real estate activities in South Africa and other African countries. Plexus is the South African partner of John Mauldin, author of the Thoughts from the Frontline e-letter, and also has an exclusive licensing agreement with California-based Research Affiliates for managing and distributing its enhanced Fundamental IndexTM methodology in the Pan-African area. Prieur is 52 years old and lives with his wife, television producer and presenter Isabel Verwey, and two children in Cape Town, South Africa. His recreational activities include long-distance running, motor cycling, traveling and reading. |



