Thanksgiving week has long been a period of interest for investors, analysts, and traders who study seasonal market patterns. While no single holiday can guarantee performance, historical data shows that Thanksgiving week often brings a mix of positive market sentiment, lighter trading volume, and unique short-term opportunities. Understanding these trends can help investors better navigate year-end market dynamics and position portfolios strategically.

The IRS has announced a meaningful update for retirement savers: beginning with the 2026 tax year, the annual contribution limit for a traditional or Roth IRA has been increased from $7,000 to $7,500. This adjustment is part of the IRS’s inflation-indexed updates designed to help Americans save more for retirement.

Investors are always on the lookout for seasonal trends that could give them an edge in the stock market. One strategy that has gained attention over the years is the so-called Halloween Strategy, a trend based on the old market adage: “Sell in May and go away, but remember to come back in October.” This approach suggests that stock market returns tend to be stronger between November and April, while performance from May through October is historically weaker. But is this strategy rooted in fact, or is it just a market myth?

For decades, many investors have put their money in broad market indexes like the S&P 500 for instant diversification. It sounds safe – spread your bets over hundreds or thousands of companies. But a 2024 study of nearly 100 years of stock-market data (CRSP database) reveals a surprising truth: most stocks are losers, and only a very few drive the gains. In fact, more than half of U.S. stocks ever traded never made money. This “concentration risk” means your index returns are carried almost entirely by a handful of big winners, while the majority of holdings quietly lag behind.