There are always lots of guys who can tell you why the market did this or that. As far as accuratley telling us what the market will do - not so many


In past years, it seems there's been a pattern where stocks go up at Christmas but then slide right back down a couple days before the new year. But I'm no expert so I may be wrong!

The market has been on a relativly steady upward slant since May.

You may have been referring to the January Effect

"January Effect

January Effect DefinitionTendency of the stock market to rise between December 31 and the end of the first week in January. The January Effect occurs because many investors choose to sell some of their stock right before the end of the year in order to claim a capital loss for tax purposes. Once the tax calendar rolls over to a new year on January 1st these same investors quickly reinvest their money in the market, causing stock prices to rise. Although the January Effect has been observed numerous times throughout history, it is difficult for investors to profit from it since the market as a whole expects it to happen and therefore adjusts its prices accordingly."


Read more: http://www.investorwords.com/2657/January_Effect.html#ixzz18n2fcdA8