Stocktake: Stocks enter period of seasonal strength

Stocks have surged of late and seasonally-minded investors will expect further gains in the coming weeks and months.

November has been the best month for stocks since 1950 and over the past decade, notes LPL Research.

Indeed, the next six months have historically proved lucrative; since 1950, almost all US market gains have occurred over the November-April period. Global returns have been similarly lopsided; one study found this seasonal anomaly in 81 of 108 countries analysed.

A fluke? Maybe, but bulls will argue that market momentum and seasonal strength suggest this rally has further room to run.