Presidential Election Cycle

Market performance in election cycle years

-1.0%
+0.00%
Average Year
Last Updated: June 28, 2026

Historical Data

About Presidential Election Cycle

The Presidential Election Cycle theory observes that US stock markets tend to follow patterns within the four-year presidential term. Historically, the third year of a presidency has produced the strongest returns. While past patterns do not guarantee future results, they provide useful context for long-term investors.

Data Source: S&P historical data
Update Frequency: Yearly