Quarters Down More Than 10%, from Russ Sears
There have been six quarters with a return worse than -10% on the S&P index (not counting dividends) over the last 20 years (i.e. 80 quarters). My counting shows the following:
Five of the following quarters have been positive (i.e. five positive out of six)
Average 5.0%
Best 19% for quarter starting 10/1/1998
Worst -19% for quarter starting 7/1/2002
This compares to 53 positive out of all 80 quarters and 2% average return for all 80.