Asset Classes

Free investment financial education

Language

Multilingual content from IBKR

Close Navigation
Learn more about IBKR accounts
Mr. Market DOES Like Mondays (At Least Lately)

Mr. Market DOES Like Mondays (At Least Lately)

Posted October 17, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Steve Sosnick
Interactive Brokers

(Today’s theme music, courtesy of the Boomtown Rats, “I Don’t Like Mondays”)

Fifteen weeks in a row is one heck of a streak.  NFL teams, which play once a week, have only exceeded that streak 10 times in the league’s history, so it was big news when the San Francisco 49’ers 15-game regular season winning streak was broken on Sunday.  Just one day later – yesterday – the S&P 500 (SPX) put together a 15-week winning streak of its own.  That is one heck of a stealth rally, and it’s not clear why.

Yes, it’s true.  SPX has not been down on a Monday since July 3rd.  Granted, that day was a half-day ahead of the July 4th holiday, and we also skipped the first Monday in September for Labor Day.  Also, we squeaked by with tiny gains some of those times, but as any coach will tell us, a win is a win.  Here are the results over that timeframe:

SPX has not been down on a Monday since July 3rd.

Source: Interactive Brokers

The current streak is quite astounding, but it is clearly part of a larger pattern.  So far in 2023, there have been 36 Mondays when the US markets have been open.  (This excludes MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day and Juneteenth in addition to Labor Day.)  An astounding 29 of those 36 Mondays have been higher – just over 80%!

So far in 2023, there have been 36 Mondays when the US markets have been open. 

Source: Interactive Brokers

We have noted on various occasions that traders love to find tradeable patterns.  Quite frankly, if something works 80% of the time, it is quite understandable for that pattern to persist – if for no other reason than that it becomes self-fulfilling.  If enough people expect the market to go up on Mondays, then it probably will.  The logic is sound, though circular.  If there is an imbalance of aggressive buyers, that creates demand, and stocks move higher.  The reason is not important.  In markets, enough people believe that something will happen – regardless of why – the weight of money can force the outcome.

(By the way, I was careful not to say there are more buyers than sellers.  For every buy that gets executed, someone sells – and vice versa.  The prices move because one side is more aggressive than the other.)

Although the recent upside moves on Mondays have been quite consistent, this is a relatively recent phenomenon.  Over the past 10 years, SPX has risen on about 53% of all trading sessions.  Prior to this year that was also the case for Mondays over that period – about 53%.  Also, the average daily move over the 10-year period was +0.065%, while Mondays (including this year) average 0.019%.  In other words, the recent Monday outperformance is a recent phenomenon. 

Frankly, I wish I knew why.  I’d love to be able to say that there is something I can point out that makes Mondays a better day than others.  Maybe there is something about avoiding major trouble over the weekend that makes traders bullish on Mondays.  That was certainly the case yesterday, but it hardly explains the vast majority of weeks this year.  At this point, it is more likely either a statistical fluke or a self-fulfilling trading prophecy.

Either way, the market is on a Monday roll.  All streaks eventually get broken, but if we can’t offer a great reason for the streak’s occurrence, it is tough to suggest why this one will or won’t continue.

Join The Conversation

If you have a general question, it may already be covered in our FAQs. If you have an account-specific question or concern, please reach out to Client Services.

6 thoughts on “Mr. Market DOES Like Mondays (At Least Lately)”

  • Nick

    So, historically, how unusual is this period? Other past periods with this Monday? What’s the record?

  • Nick

    So, historically, how unusual is this period? Other past periods with this Monday streak? What’s the record?

    • Interactive Brokers

      Over the past 10 years, SPX has risen on about 53% of all trading sessions. Prior to this year that was also the case for Mondays over that period – about 53%.We hope this answers your question!

  • Zvon

    What means delta 30 ( buying and selling options ) or every other delta???
    Thanks

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hi Zyon, a delta is a measure of the rate of change in an options theoretical value for a one-unit change in the price of underlying stock. You can use delta to measure the market’s expectation of the options contract expiring in the money. For example, if your options contract has a delta of 80, this would mean that the market is pricing an 80% chance of that contract expiring in the money. The lower the delta, the lower the odds that the options contract will expire in the money. Please see the link below for more information. We hope this helps.
      https://www.ibkrcampusdev.wpengine.com/campus/traders-insight/securities/options/understanding-the-greeks/

  • Dinky

    Perhaps Fridays are down days? And Mondays are catch up days?

Leave a Reply

Disclosure: Interactive Brokers

The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Interactive Brokers, its affiliates, or its employees.

IBKR Campus Newsletters

This website uses cookies to collect usage information in order to offer a better browsing experience. By browsing this site or by clicking on the "ACCEPT COOKIES" button you accept our Cookie Policy.