US stocks are on track to close the month with their worst August performance since 2001. The NASDAQ Composite is down the most among the three major indices with a decline of 5.98%. Quarter-to-date, however, all three averages are still in positive territory.
What follows is a summary of this month's statistics on the markets (Based on August 30th closing levels).
The Dow is down -456.21 or -4.36% for the month, and up 235.71 or 2.41% for Q3 so far.
- On track to its worst August percent drop since 2001 when it declined -5.45%
- On track to its largest monthly percent decline since 5/2010 when it fell -7.92%
The S&P is down -52.68 or -4.78% for the month, and up 18.21 or 1.77% for 3Q so far.
- On track to its worst August percent drop since 2001 when it declined -6.41%
- On track to its largest monthly percent decline since 6/2010 when it fell -5.39%
The NASDAQ Composite is down -134.73 or -5.98% for the month, and up 10.73 or 0.51% for 3Q so far.
- On track to its worst August percent drop since 2001 when it declined -10.94%
- On track to its largest monthly percent decline since 6/2010 when it fell -6.55%
>> August 2010: Best & Worst Performing Stocks
Historical Averages for August/September/Q3
Dow
- Historically, August ranks as the third best month of the year for the Dow, yielding an average gain of 1.27%, and posting positive returns 65% of the time (Best August in 1932, up 35.76%, Worst August in 1998, down -15.1%)
- Since 1896, the Dow recorded August percent declines of -4% or larger 17 times
- When August is a negative month, the Dow declined -0.5%, on average, in September and, recorded an average loss of -3.28% in Q3
- Even with a negative August, the Dow is currently tracking for its best Q3 since 2009 when it rose 14.98%
- Q3 is on average the second worst quarter of the year with average gains of only 1.63%
- Q4 is on average the best quarter of the year with average gains of 2.63%; yet, when Q3 is negative, Q4 yields an average gain of 2.33%
- September ranks as the worst month of the year with an average loss of -1.18%, down 58% of the time
- The Dow has closed up 9 out of the past 12 months
S&P 500
- Historically, August ranks as the fifth best month of the year for the S&P, yielding an average gain of 0.87%, and posting positive returns 60% of the time (Best August in 1932, up 39.1%, Worst August in 1998, down -14.6%)
- Since 1928, the S&P recorded August percent declines of -4.75% or larger 11 times
- When August is a negative month, the S&P declined -0.72%, on average, in September, and recorded an average loss of -2.74% in Q3
- Even with a negative August, the S&P is currently tracking for its best Q3 since 2009 when it rose 14.99%
- Q3 is typically the worst quarter of the year with average gains of 1.32%
- Q4 is typically the best quarter of the year with average gains of 2.33%; yet, when Q3 is negative, Q4 yields an average gain of 1.9%
- September ranks as the worst month of the year with an average loss of -1.21%, down 55% of the time
- The S&P has closed up 8 out of the past 12 months
NASDAQ Composite
- Historically, August ranks as the eighth best month of the year, yielding an average gain of 0.4%, and posting positive returns 56% of the time (Best August in 2000, up 11.7%, Worst August in 1998, down -19.9%)
- Since 1971, the NASDAQ recorded August percent declines of -5.75% or larger 5 times
- When August is a negative month, the NASDAQ has declined -1.71%, on average, in September, and recorded an average loss of -7.57% in Q3
- Even with a negative August, the NASDAQ is currently tracking for its best Q3 since 2009 when it rose 15.66%
- Q3 is on average the worst quarter of the year with average losses of -0.37%
- Q4 is on average the best quarter of the year with average gains of 4.17%; yet, when Q3 is negative, Q4 yields an average gain of 4.95%
- September ranks as the worst month of the year with an average loss of -0.86%, down 46% of the time
- The NASDAQ has closed up 8 out of the past 12 months
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