Factor Trading (Peter Brandt Blog)

The January Effect 2026 Edition

The January Effect 2026 Edition revisits the century‑old seasonal rally that typically lifts equities and certain currency pairs in the first weeks of the year. By analysing price action from the 2025‑2026 transition, the piece highlights a pronounced EUR/USD volatility spike coinciding with heightened buying pressure in U.S. growth stocks. The article also references Peter Brandt’s chart‑based observations, noting that the effect remains robust despite tighter monetary policy and lingering geopolitical uncertainty. Overall, the analysis suggests the pattern still offers a modest edge for disciplined traders.