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Investment choices are heavily dependent on investor preferences and investment decision methodology. When it comes to the latter, there has been one particular phenomenon in empirical market dynamics that has traditionally flummoxed market analysts and quants: the “January Effect”. In this phenomenon, observed market volumes (and volatility) seen across the calendar month of January over the last couple of decades are generally higher than in the rest of the year. Furthermore, institutional quants generally consider them to be more optimistic than in the rest of the year.
This is something of a problem towards rationalizing market trajectory: there is a plethora of data and analytics from nearly hundreds of sources that institutional quants pore over to get a sense how markets should shape up over the near future. Barring major upsets, this “sense of shape” is supposed to hold true. The “January Effect” is deemed to be an outlier in that it nearly always dents this idea of “shape”.
Over the years, institutional quants have made numerous studies and attributed probable causes without any strong consensus being developed. For instance, some quants argue that this “bump” in January is likely due to increased inflows in January from asset managers who have received additional capital from their clients by the end of the previous year; when they make investments to fulfil their clients’ mandates, instrument prices are influenced, which other investors piggyback on to exacerbate. Others argue that the effect is for “psychological” reasons: clients, advisors and investment managers have stronger convictions following year-end vacations and make investment decisions accordingly – which get corrected or strengthened as the months roll past.
“Cultural” reasons on account of increased participation of investors in the Eastern Hemisphere also finds some mention: since the Chinese/Lunar New Year generally rolls in around the beginning of the Gregorian year’s calendar, some quants attribute increased trading activity as a form of “gambling for good luck” contributing to the “January Effect” as well.
Incidentally, “gambling for luck” is by no means solely a “Chinese” phenomenon; for instance, despite it being a public holiday, the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange in India operate “muhurat” sessions every year (typically in the evening and lasting an hour) during Diwali where many traders make bets to propitiate and honour Goddess Lakshmi, the matron deity of wealth and prosperity. Outside of markets, games of chance in bazaars and social gatherings are also quite common in this period. Diwali falls somewhere between October and November in any Gregorian year.
While there is no strong consensus, the fact remains that the “January Effect” is an observable phenomenon. However, whether this tends to be dominantly positive or negative is open for interpretation. Lets consider two massive markets: the broad-based S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100.
From 2000 onwards, trends in the S&P 500 can be tabulated thus:
In the 23 years of full-year observations, trends in January were similar to that of the entire year only 12 times. In the years where the year’s trajectory was directional to that in January, the latter were typically more pronounced.
For the Nasdaq-100, the tabulated trends are somewhat similar:
In the 23 years of full-year observations, trends in January were similar to that of the entire year only 11 times. However, in the years where the year’s trajectory was directional to that in January, the latter were also typically more pronounced.
The key takeaways of this empirical study for both these markets are two-fold:
While much ado tends to be made in financial media publications about January’s trends to be indicative of a general trend for the rest of the year, the fact remains – at least as gleaned from empirical observations – that this month’s volumes/directionality are as likely to be indicative as not.
In the article published last week, it was indicated that the outlook for the current year remains somewhat bearish (or even mildly bullish) with a diminished hope for the market (be it broad or tech) returning inflation-adjusted returns. The previous article also mentioned that the conditions are optimal for realizing short-term profits from tactical trading, which Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) are perfectly poised to deliver at very economical and scalable costs. Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) provide magnified exposure while potential losses limited to only the invested amount and no further.
Learn more about Exchange Traded Products that provide magnified exposure on either the upside or the downside of major markets, sectors and investor-favourite stocks here.
Your capital is at risk if you invest. You could lose all your investment. Please see the full risk warning here.
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Nothing on this website is advice on the merits of any product or investment, nothing constitutes investment, legal, tax or any other advice nor is it to be relied on in making an investment decision. Prospective investors should obtain independent investment advice and inform themselves as to applicable legal requirements, exchange control regulations and taxes in their jurisdiction.
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Certain documents made available on the website have been prepared and issued by persons other than Leverage Shares Management Company. This includes any Prospectus document. Leverage Shares Management Company is not responsible in any way for the content of any such document. Except in those cases, the information on the website has been given in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Nevertheless, Leverage Shares Management Company shall not be responsible for loss occasioned as a result of reliance placed on any part of the website and it makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any information or content on the website. The description of any ETP Security referred to in this website is a general one. The terms and conditions applicable to investors will be set out in the Prospectus, available on the website and should be read prior to making any investment.
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This website is maintained by Leverage Shares Management Company, which is a limited liability company and is incorporated in Ireland with registered offices at 2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2.
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Terms and Conditions
Notice
If you are not classified as an institutional investor, you will be categorised as a private/retail investor. At this time, we cannot send communications directly to private/retail investors. You are welcome to view the contents of this website.
If you are an ‘Institutional investor’, you affirm either that you are a Per Se Professional Client, or that you wish to be treated as an Eligible Counterparty Client, both as defined under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, or an equivalent in a jurisdiction outside the European Economic Area.
Risk Warnings
The value of an investment in ETPs may go down as well as up and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Trading in ETPs may not be suitable for all types of investor as they carry a high degree of risk. You may lose all of your initial investment. Only speculate with money you can afford to lose. Changes in exchange rates may also cause your investment to go up or down in value. Tax laws may be subject to change. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. If in any doubt, please seek independent financial advice. Investors should refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the relevant prospectus for further details of these and other risks associated with an investment in the securities offered by the Issuer.
This website is provided for your general information only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any investment.
Nothing on this website is advice on the merits of any product or investment, nothing constitutes investment, legal, tax or any other advice nor is it to be relied on in making an investment decision. Prospective investors should obtain independent investment advice and inform themselves as to applicable legal requirements, exchange control regulations and taxes in their jurisdiction.
This website complies with the regulatory requirements of the United Kingdom. There may be laws in your country of nationality or residence or in the country from which you access this website which restrict the extent to which the website may be made available to you.
United States Visitors
The information provided on this site is not directed to any United States person or any person in the United States, any state thereof, or any of its territories or possessions.
Persons accessing this website in the European Economic Area
Access to this site is restricted to Non-U.S. Persons outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Each person accessing this site, by so doing, acknowledges that: (1) it is not a U.S. person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act) and is located outside the U.S. (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act); and (2) any securities described herein (A) have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction and (B) may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except to persons outside the U.S. in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms of such securities. None of the funds on this website are registered under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).
Exclusion of Liability
Certain documents made available on the website have been prepared and issued by persons other than Leverage Shares Management Company. This includes any Prospectus document. Leverage Shares Management Company is not responsible in any way for the content of any such document. Except in those cases, the information on the website has been given in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Nevertheless, Leverage Shares Management Company shall not be responsible for loss occasioned as a result of reliance placed on any part of the website and it makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of any information or content on the website. The description of any ETP Security referred to in this website is a general one. The terms and conditions applicable to investors will be set out in the Prospectus, available on the website and should be read prior to making any investment.
Leverage Investment
Leverage Shares exchange-traded products (ETPs) provide leveraged exposure and are only suitable for experienced investors with knowledge of the risks and potential benefits of leveraged investment strategies.
Cookies
Leverage Shares Management Company may collect data about your computer, including, where available, your IP address, operating system and browser type, for system administration and other similar purposes (click here for more information). These are statistical data about users’ browsing actions and patterns, and they do not identify any individual user of the website. This is achieved by the use of cookies. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that is put on your computer if you agree to accept it. By clicking ‘I agree’ below, you are consenting to the use of cookies as described here. These cookies allow you to be distinguished from other users of the website, which helps Leverage Shares Company provide you with a better experience when you browse the website and also allows the website to be improved from time to time. Please note that you can adjust your browser settings to delete or block cookies, but you may not be able to access parts of our website without them.
This website is maintained by Leverage Shares Management Company, which is a limited liability company and is incorporated in Ireland with registered offices at 2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2.
By clicking you agree to the Terms and Conditions displayed.
