April: Historically the Stock Market’s Prime Month

April – The Stock Market’s Secret Weapon

Imagine a day in April where the market seems to be on a caffeine high: that’s precisely what the last two decades have shown us. Over 20 years, the way stocks behave in this month has been a little too good to ignore.

Numbers that Speak Volumes

S&P 500: Grew in 16 out of 20 Aprils – that’s a solid 80% win rate.
NYSE Composite: Fell in with the same 80% success, averaging a +2% uplift.
Nasdaq 100: While its average return sits at a respectable +2%, it only tipped upward in 13 of 20 years – a 65% victory rate.

Cory Mitchell, a seasoned analyst from Trading.biz, sums it up: “April has historically been a great month to be invested in the stock market.” That’s the real kicker.

How the SPY Performs All Year

Take a look at the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) chart back on StockCharts – it’s a visual treat. The top number on each month’s bar shows the percentage of times the price closed higher than it opened, while the bottom number gives the average percentage gain (or loss) over the last 20 years.

When April’s numbers shine in the chart, it’s not a fluke – it’s a pattern that’s handed in to traders and casual investors alike: “Buy now, or keep your shoes on.”

Why April is the Market’s Super‑Star

Picture the stock market as a weather reporter: April is the sunny month everyone’s bragging about. It’s been the top performer during the last decade, and the data says fully you’re likely to see a bright streak in your portfolio if you’re there.

Other Hot Months (and Cool Ones)

July – the market usually shoots up “75 % of the time” with an average climb of about 2.4 %.
November – historically the king of the calendar, delivering an average +2.5 % and standing up 80 % of the time.
January, June, September – the less glamorous trio; they tend to be disappointing and are best avoided if you’re chasing gains.

Seasonality – A Look Back, Not a Crystal Ball

Seasonality studies the past performance of each month, but it’s no guarantee of the future. Think of it as checking yesterday’s weather to decide if you’ll pack an umbrella today. Trends exist, but every single year can throw a curveball.

Even if the odds look good, you need a full trading plan.

Entry & exit rules
Risk management and position sizing
Adjustments for changing market conditions

Because April’s bull run isn’t a magic spell—there’s still value in protecting yourself with a solid risk strategy.

Current Market Pulse (to April and Beyond)

The big three indices are currently on a winning streak:

S&P 500 – up since November 2023
Nasdaq 100 – still holding steadier, though it paused in March and was just sitting around sideways.
NYSE Composite – also riding the upward wave.

In short: the price action is still strong as we head into April. No major bearish warnings have shown up yet, so you’re in a good spot for that solid run.