Seasonal patterns point to a positive close for stocks this year, which is good news for investors riding out a choppy October.

• The last quarter of the year is historically strong, with years that started similarly to 2026 finishing green most of the time and gaining a modest amount on average.
• October itself is more of a toss-up, with the final stretch of the month leaning slightly toward weakness.
• The real strength tends to show up once November begins, carrying through to year-end, with most of the yearly gain concentrated there.
• Bitcoin is expected to follow a similar script, with the bulk of its next upward move also expected to land in November.

Outlook: Expect choppier trading through late October, then a seasonal push higher for both stocks and Bitcoin starting in November.