No Santa Claus Rally This Year
investing (general), market timing December 29th, 2008
A “Santa Claus Rally” refers to the final week or so of trading of each year - if, that is, there is a rally in the stock markets during this time. Doesn’t look like there’s going to be for this year.
With the holidays I haven’t been around on this blog as much, but hopefully that will be changing coming into the new year again. I’m about to buy a position tomorrow, so I’ll be researching during the day. I have my eyes on a few. Unfortunately I’m only able to buy one stock - at least that forces me to ease my way into the market in this volatile period.
Well, I have to say that the markets have really calmed down in the past month, which may or may not mean much. I check the VIX rating each day (it’s a measure of stock trading volatility) and it’s down around 43 or so right now, which would normally be a sign of a market bottom by Jim Cramer’s standards, but as everyone’s saying lately, “these are not normal times.” Remember, two months ago it hit up into the 80’s! I must have been sleeping through that.
That said, I’m not sure what the new year will bring. I think it’s just going to be more of the same for a while. No one knows, right? I still have a good 30 years of investing to go before I think I’ll be needing any retirement income, so I think I’m good to continue loading up on blue-chips whenever I can.
It’s always good to hear your opinions, though! No one agrees on anything about the markets right now. In fact, you know, I think the sign of a bottom is just when absolutely EVERYONE has heard and is talking about how bad the economy is right now…. and I think that’s basically been happening, don’t you think?













