Your Money Minute – "Stocks Did A Rare Thing" (11/13/25)

Host: Jessica Edinger, CNBC
Guest: Eric Johnston, Counter Fitzgerald
Date: November 13, 2025
Episode Duration: ~60 seconds

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights a surprising market trend: stocks performed unexpectedly well during historically weak months (June through October). Jessica Edinger and guest Eric Johnston discuss the implications of this rare occurrence, what it might signal for the remainder of the year, and how seasonality impacts stock market gains.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Market’s “Unusual” Performance

• Traditionally Weak Months:

  • September and October (and summer in general) are “tricky or just plain losing months for the market.”
  • “Summer is not often the best for stocks either.” (Jessica Edinger, 00:04)

• What Happened in 2025:

  • Stocks were “very strong during the seasonally weak period.” (Eric Johnston, 00:15)

2. Historical Context of Strong Performances

• Eric Johnston shares market research:

  • “There’s been about nine times between June and October...since 1950, where the market’s been really strong. And 100% of the time, you’ve been up in November and December—and the returns are actually very good.” (Eric Johnston, 00:22)

• Significance:

  • The current trend could mean continued gains through the end of the year.

3. Looking Ahead: Possible Year-End Rally

• Jessica Edinger notes:

  • “This could be one of those rare years for the markets with gains from now through the end of the year after a positive seasonal period from June through October.” (Jessica Edinger, 00:37)

• She encourages listeners to follow CNBC for more information on market seasonality.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:04] Jessica Edinger:

  • “Something unusual happened in September and October for stocks, both of which are either called tricky or just plain losing months for the market.”

• [00:15] Eric Johnston:

  • “The market was actually very strong during the seasonally weak period.”

• [00:22] Eric Johnston:

  • “We’ve looked back and there’s been about nine times between, you know, June and October—which is a seasonally weak period—where the market’s been really strong since 1950. And 100% of the time you’ve been up in November, December, and the returns are actually very good.”

• [00:37] Jessica Edinger:

  • “This could be one of those rare years for the markets with gains from now through the end of the year after a positive seasonal period from June through October.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:15: Jessica Edinger introduces the unusual seasonal performance
• 00:15–00:22: Eric Johnston summarizes this year’s strong market
• 00:22–00:37: Historical evidence and projections from Eric Johnston
• 00:37–00:47: Jessica Edinger wraps with optimism for year-end gains and directs to CNBC for more

Summary & Takeaways

• The stock market defied expectations by performing strongly from June through October 2025—a period typically associated with poor returns.
• Historically, when such strong performance occurs during these weak months (only about nine times since 1950), November and December have always produced positive returns.
• This pattern suggests we may be headed for an unusually robust end-of-year rally, a “rare year for the markets.”
• Listeners are encouraged to monitor ongoing market analysis, particularly with respect to market seasonality, for informed investing decisions.

For more information on market trends and seasonality, visit cnbc.com.