Investors are searching for early signs of where stocks may be headed in 2026 after missing the “Santa Claus rally.” For the third consecutive year, the S&P 500 is on track to decrease during the traditional Santa rally period, raising concerns about the bull market’s future. The Santa Claus rally, along with other indicators like the first-five-days of January and the January barometer, provide insight into potential market trends. Historically, positive performances during these periods have led to higher full-year gains for the S&P 500. However, these seasonal indicators should be viewed with caution, as past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Investors are also keeping an eye on upcoming events such as the December jobs report, the possibility of a new Fed chair appointment by President Trump, and the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season, which could impact the stock market in January.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Investors pin hopes on the ‘January barometer,’ with stocks set to skip ‘Santa Claus rally’ for a third straight year