25 Stocks to Buy Before Thanksgiving

The S&P tends to perform well during the short holiday week

Thanksgiving week is typically a low-volume trading week, with U.S. stock markets open fewer than four days (Black Friday is a half-day for Wall Street). This week, I'll look at what stocks have done in the past during the week of Thanksgiving, while also finding which stocks tend to do well -- and which stocks don't -- during the holiday week.

S&P Performance During Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week itself tends to be bullish. Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) has, on average, gained 0.67% during the week, with 70% of the returns positive. Other weeks have averaged a gain of 0.15%, while ending positive 56% of the time.

The tables below break down Thanksgiving week by day. Historically, Monday of the holiday week has beenpositive less than half the time. Monday, however, has been bearish other weeks too, with the SPX averaging a daily loss over the past 50 years. Tuesday of Thanksgiving week has been relatively uneventful.

Thanksgiving-week outperformance has been due to the day before Thanksgiving and the day after. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has been positive 78% of the time, averaging a gain of 0.30%. The day after Thanksgiving has averaged a 0.26% return over the past 50 years, while being positive 70% of the time.

Stocks Before Thanksgiving

What's more, stocks have also performed well the Friday before Thanksgiving. Looking back 50 years, the S&P has averaged a one-day gain of 0.24%, and has been positive 60% of the time the Friday before Black Friday. That's compared to an average gain of just 0.01% the Thursday before Thanksgiving, and an average anytime Friday gain of just 0.04%.

Best and Worst Stocks Next Week

Below is a list of S&P 500 Index stocks that have performed the best during the week of Thanksgiving over the past 10 years. Since it's such a huge shopping week as well, the number of Retailer companies on the list isn't too surprising. The bolded names at the top have been positive at least nine of the past 10 years.

Finally, here's a list of stocks that have the worst track record during the week of Thanksgiving, going back 10 years. Bolded names at the top have been negative at least seven of the past 10 years. The battered oil-and-gas sector stands out, with several names on the list.