September: A Slippery Slope for Stocks

After a lackluster August for stocks, historical data suggests that September may not fare much better. September has historically delivered negative monthly returns for the S&P 500 and has been the worst month on average for the Nasdaq. All three major indexes are currently experiencing losses for the month. While some weakness in September is expected, analysts believe that a pullback does not necessarily indicate a stumble for stocks for the rest of the year. The upcoming September Fed meeting and the resilience of the economy are seen as key factors that could drive the market in the fourth quarter.