The stock market is a fascinating world filled with numbers, trends, and human psychology. While most people focus on charts, earnings reports, and economic indicators, there’s a whole other side to the market that’s downright bizarre. From superstitions to historical oddities, here are seven weird but true facts about the stock market that might just blow your mind.
1. The “Super Bowl Indicator” Actually Works (Sometimes)
Believe it or not, the outcome of the Super Bowl has—historically—predicted stock market performance. The theory goes like this:
- If a team from the original NFL (now NFC) wins, the market will rise.
- If a team from the AFL (now AFC) wins, the market will fall.
Shockingly, this indicator was correct about 80% of the time between 1967 and 1997. While it’s obviously not a reliable trading strategy, it’s a fun example of how people look for patterns in the most unexpected places.
2. The Shortest Stock Market Crash Lasted Just 36 Minutes
Most crashes take days, weeks, or even years to recover. But on May 6, 2010, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 1,000 points in minutes—only to bounce back almost immediately.
This event, known as the “Flash Crash,” was caused by high-frequency trading algorithms gone haywire. The market recovered most of its losses by the end of the day, making it the shortest crash in history.
3. A Monkey Outperformed Wall Street Experts
In 2013, a Swedish experiment pitted a chimpanzee named Ola against professional stock pickers. The chimp threw darts at a board of stocks to make random selections—and beat the experts.
This wasn’t a one-time fluke, either. Multiple studies have shown that randomly selected portfolios often perform just as well (or better) than those chosen by professionals. A humbling reminder that luck plays a bigger role than we’d like to admit.
4. The Stock Market Used to Close for Lunch
Today, markets run nearly 24/7 with after-hours trading. But back in the early 1900s, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closed for lunch—every single day.
Traders would take a 90-minute break to eat, socialize, and (presumably) gossip about stocks. The practice continued until 1952, when increasing trading volumes made the lunch break impractical.
5. The “January Effect” Makes Small Stocks Jump
There’s a strange phenomenon where small-cap stocks tend to outperform in January. Why?
- Tax-loss harvesting: Investors sell losing stocks in December for tax reasons, then buy them back in January.
- Year-end bonuses: People invest extra cash at the start of the year.
While the effect has weakened due to market efficiency, it’s still a quirky seasonal trend traders watch for.
6. The Longest Bear Market Lasted Over 20 Years
Most bear markets last a few months to a couple of years. But Japan’s Nikkei 225 index took over two decades to recover from its 1989 peak.
At its height, Japan’s market was so inflated that the Imperial Palace in Tokyo was “worth” more than all the real estate in California. When the bubble burst, stocks didn’t return to their previous highs until 2021—32 years later.
7. Some Stocks Literally Trade for Pennies (And Still Exist)
Ever heard of “penny stocks”? These are shares that trade for less than $5, sometimes even under a dollar. While most are risky, some have bizarre histories:
- Eastman Kodak (KODK): Once a photography giant, its stock dropped to $2.62 in 2020—then surged 2,000% in days due to a meme stock frenzy.
- Hertz (HTZ): After declaring bankruptcy in 2020, its stock inexplicably rose 900% before crashing again.
These wild swings prove that market logic doesn’t always apply—sometimes, chaos reigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Super Bowl Indicator a real trading strategy? A: No, it’s just a fun coincidence. Don’t bet your portfolio on football games!
Q: Can a monkey really beat the stock market? A: Random stock picks sometimes outperform experts, but long-term investing still beats luck.
Q: Why did Japan’s market take so long to recover? A: A massive asset bubble, economic stagnation, and deflation kept prices depressed for decades.
Q: Are penny stocks worth it? A: They’re extremely risky—most go to zero. Only invest money you can afford to lose.
Final Thoughts
The stock market isn’t just about numbers—it’s a mix of psychology, history, and sheer randomness. Whether it’s a chimp beating Wall Street or a football game predicting market moves, these weird facts remind us that investing is as much about human behavior as it is about balance sheets.
So next time you check your portfolio, remember: the market has a wild side, and sometimes, the strangest things turn out to be true.