Investors hope for 'Santa Claus' rally as stocks lose steam
The benchmark S&P 500 is up more than 23% for 2024, even after a major stumble this week, and Wall Street has historically often enjoyed a strong annual close. Since 1969, the last five trading days of the year combined with the first two of the following year have yielded an average S&P 500 gain of 1.3%, a period known as the "Santa Claus Rally," according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. But this year, there are signs Santa Claus may disappoint.