S&P 500 in October
Since 1994, October has returned +1.7% on average (median +2.3%), and the S&P 500 has risen in 63% of Octobers — 3rd of the 12 months by average. Total return, dividends reinvested, from SPY's month-end closes.
October 2026 so far: +0.08% — 21st of 33 Octobers at the last close (October 16).
From October 16: the next 5, 21 and 63 trading days#
In every year since 1993, from the close on or before October 16 to the close 5, 21 and 63 trading days later. Total return. A record of what happened, not a forecast.
| Window | Average | Median | Up | Best | Worst |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Next 5 trading days (a week) | +0.3% | +0.3% | 55% of 33 | +4.7% 2022 | -3.6% 2023 |
| Next 21 trading days (a month) | +2.3% | +2.0% | 79% of 33 | +12.2% 1999 | -7.6% 2008 |
| Next 63 trading days (a quarter) | +5.2% | +6.2% | 85% of 33 | +18.5% 1998 | -10.5% 2007 |
Every October since 1994 (total return)#
How October returns are spread#
32 Octobers since 1994, counted in 2% bins; the blue line is October 2026 so far.
S&P 500 October returns by year#
| Year | Total return | Price return |
|---|---|---|
| 2026so far | +0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2025 | +2.4% | +2.4% |
| 2024 | -0.9% | -0.9% |
| 2023 | -2.2% | -2.2% |
| 2022 | +8.1% | +8.1% |
| 2021 | +7.0% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | -2.5% | -2.5% |
| 2019 | +2.2% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | -6.9% | -6.9% |
| 2017 | +2.4% | +2.4% |
| 2016 | -1.7% | -1.7% |
| 2015 | +8.5% | +8.5% |
| 2014 | +2.4% | +2.4% |
| 2013 | +4.6% | +4.6% |
| 2012 | -1.8% | -1.8% |
| 2011 | +10.9% | +10.9% |
| 2010 | +3.8% | +3.8% |
| 2009 | -1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2008 | -16.5% | -16.5% |
| 2007 | +1.4% | +1.4% |
| 2006 | +3.2% | +3.2% |
| 2005 | -2.4% | -2.4% |
| 2004 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 2003 | +5.4% | +5.4% |
| 2002 | +8.2% | +8.2% |
| 2001 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 2000 | -0.5% | -0.5% |
| 1999 | +6.4% | +6.4% |
| 1998 | +8.1% | +8.1% |
| 1997 | -2.5% | -2.5% |
| 1996 | +3.2% | +3.2% |
| 1995 | -0.3% | -0.3% |
| 1994 | +2.8% | +2.8% |
Methodology#
Each October is the return from the last close of the month before to the last close of October, from SPY's closes since 1994: total return over its dividend-adjusted closes, price return over its split-adjusted closes. The month in progress is as of the last close and moves with the tape during the session; it is shown beside the record and never averaged into it. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
ChartRow is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, S&P Global, Nasdaq, Inc., Robert Shiller, RSBB-I, LLC, or Yale University. "S&P 500®" and "Dow Jones®" are registered trademarks of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC; "Nasdaq-100®" is a registered trademark of Nasdaq, Inc.; "CAPE®" is a registered trademark of RSBB-I, LLC. They are used here only to identify the indexes and series discussed. All index-related figures on this page are independently derived from public sources — SEC filings, the public Shiller S&P 500 monthly series, and our own computations — not from any index provider's data feed.
FAQ#
- Is October a good month for the S&P 500?
- Since 1994, October has returned +1.7% on average (total return, dividends reinvested) with a median of +2.3%, and the S&P 500 rose in 20 of 32 Octobers (63%). By average return it ranks 3rd of the 12 months.
- What was the S&P 500's best and worst October?
- The best October since 1994 was 2011 (+10.9%), the worst 2008 (-16.5%).
- How is the S&P 500 doing in October 2026?
- Through October 16, October 2026 is +0.1% (total return at the last close), 21st of 33 Octobers since 1994 so far. The month is not over, so its rank will move.
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