Third-Quarter Pain = Fourth-Quarter Gain?

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In the past three months, the S&P 500 is down 12 percent, on track for its worst quarterly performance since Q4 2008 when it fell 22.6 percent.

The index is also pacing for its worst Q3 loss since 2002, when it plunged 17.6 percent.

As the quarter comes to an end, will the rest of the year bring hope for investors?

Since 1980, there have been 11 other instances where quarterly losses were greater than 10 percent. And 80 percent of the time, the index followed with a gain.

The two times the market followed with a loss, however, the S&P 500 was down more than 11 percent.


The same appears to be the case for the Dow, which is down 10 percent, on track for its worst quarterly performance since Q1 2009 when it fell 13 percent.

Since 1980, there have been 11 other instances where quarterly losses were greater than 10 percent. And 80 percent of the time, the index followed with a gain.

The two times the market followed with a loss, however, the S&P 500 was down more than 11 percent.

The index is pacing for its worst Q3 loss since 2002, when it dropped 18 percent.

Since 1949, there have been 14 other instances where losses were greater than 10 percent. And 79 percent of the time, the Dow followed with a gain.


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