Good Friday is the one NYSE holiday with a clear positive bias before and negativity the day after (Stock Trader’s Almanac 2025, page 102). DJIA, S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Russell 2000 all have solid average gains on the three days and full week (shortened) before Good Friday. NASDAQ has been notably strong, up 21 of the last 24 days before Good Friday with an average gain of 0.75%. NASDAQ declines occurred in 2017 (–0.53%), 2022 (–2.14%), and 2024 (–.12%).
However, the day after Easter has a weak longer-term post-holiday record. The S&P 500 was down 16 of 20 years from 1984-2003 on the day after Easter while it has modestly improved recently, up 13 of the last 21 years. Post-Easter weakness has been generally short-lived with average gains 2- and 3-days after.
