Best Day of the Year to Invest in ^GSPC (S&P 500)
Based on 77 years of data (1950–2026), October 27 has historically been the best day to invest in ^GSPC. Buying on that date and holding for ≈ 1 month returned an average of +2.59% with a 78% win rate. The weakest day is August 28 (-0.86%).
Seasonal Return by Day of Year for ^GSPC
Each point is the average return over the following ≈ 1 month (21 trading days) if you had invested on that calendar date. Cyan = best day, red = worst day.
10 Best Days to Invest in ^GSPC
| Date | Avg Return (≈ 1 month) | Win Rate | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 27Best | +2.59% | 78% | 54 |
| October 7 | +2.31% | 78% | 54 |
| October 28 | +2.28% | 74% | 54 |
| October 26 | +2.18% | 70% | 54 |
| December 3 | +2.04% | 72% | 54 |
| December 16 | +2.04% | 72% | 54 |
| December 4 | +2.01% | 78% | 54 |
| March 31 | +1.99% | 75% | 52 |
| June 29 | +1.98% | 65% | 54 |
| October 29 | +1.98% | 66% | 53 |
Best Day to Invest in ^GSPC, Month by Month
The single strongest calendar date within each month. Prefer the broader view? See the best month to invest in ^GSPC→
| Best Date | Avg Return (≈ 1 month) | Win Rate | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 17 | +1.40% | 59% | 51 |
| February 17 | +1.65% | 68% | 47 |
| March 31 | +1.99% | 75% | 52 |
| April 3 | +1.95% | 66% | 53 |
| May 19 | +1.13% | 60% | 55 |
| June 29 | +1.98% | 65% | 54 |
| July 10 | +1.45% | 72% | 54 |
| August 4 | +0.61% | 61% | 54 |
| September 30 | +1.52% | 70% | 54 |
| October 27 | +2.59% | 78% | 54 |
| November 23 | +1.98% | 77% | 43 |
| December 3 | +2.04% | 72% | 54 |
10 Weakest Days to Invest in ^GSPC
| Date | Avg Return (≈ 1 month) | Win Rate | Samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 28Worst | -0.86% | 48% | 54 |
| April 27 | -0.79% | 52% | 54 |
| August 29 | -0.71% | 44% | 55 |
| April 26 | -0.63% | 46% | 54 |
| September 6 | -0.60% | 39% | 44 |
| September 2 | -0.59% | 47% | 43 |
| August 14 | -0.57% | 57% | 54 |
| July 8 | -0.49% | 52% | 54 |
| September 19 | -0.45% | 58% | 55 |
| September 4 | -0.40% | 50% | 44 |
From a Single Date to a Full Seasonal Window
This page fixes the holding period at ≈ 1 month. Seasonal Edge finds the optimal entry and exit dates for each seasonal window inside the app:
- ●Optimised entry/exit dates — not just a fixed one-month hold
- ●Win rate, drawdown & equity curve for every seasonal window
- ●Cycle detection — spectral analysis projects rising and declining phases forward
How to Read This Data
Avg Return is the mean percentage change over the 21 trading days (≈ 1 month) following each calendar date, averaged across the years ^GSPC was traded.
Win Rate shows how often that forward month finished positive. A 75% win rate means ^GSPCrose over the following month in 3 of every 4 years you invested on that date.
Samples is the number of years that contributed to the date. Calendar dates that fall on weekends or holidays in some years naturally have fewer samples; only dates with enough history are ranked.
Seasonal patterns are historical tendencies, not guarantees. A specific calendar date is a rough proxy for a seasonal window — treat it as one input alongside your own research, not a precise timing signal.
See the Full Seasonal Analysis
Seasonal Edge screens thousands of securities for seasonal patterns with daily precision — exact entry and exit dates, win rates, and historical backtests.
Try Seasonal Edge FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best day of the year to invest in ^GSPC?▾
Based on 77 years of data, October 27 has historically been the best day to invest in ^GSPC. Buying on that date and holding for ≈ 1 month returned an average of +2.59% with a 78% win rate.
Does buying on one specific day really matter?▾
A single calendar date is a proxy for a seasonal window rather than a precise signal. The dates that rank highest tend to cluster around genuinely strong seasonal periods, which is why we also show the best day within each month and link through to the broader best month analysis.
How is this calculated?▾
For each calendar date we measure the return over the following 21 trading days (≈ 1 month) if you had bought on that date, using daily closing prices from 1950 to 2026, then average across all years. The date with the highest average forward return is the historically best day to invest.
Is this trading or investment advice?▾
No. This page is historical statistical analysis for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, or trading advice and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold ^GSPCor any other security. Past performance does not guarantee future results — always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before investing.