[CharlesWayneCT]

Isn't it odd that every year, the stock market goes up the first week of January, and invariably ends up lower within the next three weeks?

Why don't we all make money on this, it's like clockwork?

There will also most likely be a peak sometime in March, and another one in November.

[sarasota]

You're right. Yet it's tough to keep one's balance after the market plunge in the 90's and the possibility that it will tank again.

[blue_nova]

>Isn't it odd that every year, the stock market goes up the >first week of January, and invariably ends up lower within >the next three weeks?

IMHO, this cycle is partly due to taxes. If the preceding year generated gains in mutual funds, then you either need to a)sell some or pay the tax, or b) pay out of current cash that probably would have gone into the mutual fund. Either way the market takes a hit. If you own individual stocks or the mutual funds are in an IRA then the tax on the gain does not apply.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Why don't we all make money on this, it's like clockwork?

The smart money was selling Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The dummies caught on this morning.

[Moonman62]

Isn't it odd that every year, the stock market goes up the first week of January, and invariably ends up lower within the next three weeks?

This rally didn't make any sense because the Federal Reserve is in a good position to cause a recession this year.

[carl in alaska]

Yep, the market goes up every year in the first week of January except for the years when it goes down, such as last year. Nothing ever happens every year in the stock market, and history rarely repeats itself in exactly the same way.