If the craze for gambling on Friday the 13th is the result of effective marketing by lottery companies coupled with widespread superstition, the very good results of the stock market sessions that take place on a Friday the 13th are more surprising.
So today is Friday the 13th, the first of the year 2024. While for some this date is synonymous with misfortune, for others on the contrary Friday the 13th is a day of luck and money.
Starting with the organizers of games of chance and gambling. For example, in the Euromillions, which is offering a super jackpot of 29 million euros this Friday, 69% of French people admit in a survey by the Jeuresponsable.fr website that they want to take a ticket (compared to 5% who play regularly in normal times).
Not all of them will do so, but the FDJ does recognise that on Fridays the 13th the company doubles or triples its lottery ticket sales.
Why play more on a day that was previously considered a day of misfortune? This is first of all a consequence of the marketing of lottery companies that for several decades now have made Friday the 13th a lucky day. The FDJ offers super jackpots every Friday the 13th and advertises generously on them. The larger jackpot than usual is also one of the factors behind the craze.
But when asked, the French cite superstition first. According to the same survey, 39% of respondents believe that Friday the 13th is indeed a lucky day with an increased probability of winning. However, even if there are more players, there are not more winners on Friday the 13th. The chances of winning at the individual level remain the same.
The Stock Market Loves Friday the 13th
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There is, however, a money “game” that offers better chances of winning on a Friday the 13th: the Stock Exchange. The site The Income thus looked at how the CAC 40 was doing on Fridays the 13th since January 1, 1988. The results are largely positive. With 62 Fridays the 13th over the period, the site counted 39 sessions in the green for only 22 down. An increase in 63% of cases.
In the United States, too, Friday the 13th is a lucrative trading day for stock market traders and investors. According to the research firm Bespokethe probability of the S&P 500 rising on a Friday the 13th (between 1953 and 2023) is 58% compared to 53% for the average of other days. The probability of rising is even higher than for any other Friday (55.9%) and any other 13th day of the month (53.6%).
Even more surprising, according to Dow Jones Market Data cited by Barron’sthe average evolution of the S&P 500 index since 1980 on Fridays the 13th is not only positive but also very substantial. The gain is 0.3% on average on Fridays the 13th (0.2% on the Dow Jones and 0.4% on the Nasdaq Composite). In comparison, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones have recorded an average daily gain of 0.04% since 1980, and the Nasdaq 0.05%.
Are traders and stock market speculators also superstitious and buy more shares on Friday the 13th? Or is it the small number of occurrences (a few dozen Friday the 13th since 1980 over thousands of sessions) and statistical chance that explain this good fortune? Everyone will form their own opinion.
– Why do lottery sales spike on Friday the 13th?
The Lucky Curse of Friday the 13th: How Superstition and Marketing Drive Lottery Frenzy and Boost Stock Market
Friday the 13th, a day often associated with misfortune and bad luck, has become a lucrative day for lottery companies and stock market investors. While some people view this day as a harbinger of doom, others see it as a day of good fortune and prosperity. But what drives this phenomenon, and is it mere superstition or a clever marketing ploy?
Lottery Frenzy: A Result of Effective Marketing and Superstition
For lottery companies, Friday the 13th is a bonanza. According to a survey by Jeuresponsable.fr, 69% of French people plan to buy a lottery ticket on this day, compared to just 5% on regular days. The French national lottery, FDJ, reports that they sell double or triple the number of lottery tickets on Fridays the 13th. But what’s behind this surge in interest?
Part of the reason lies in the clever marketing strategy employed by lottery companies. For decades, they have promoted Friday the 13th as a lucky day, offering super jackpots and advertising extensively to create a sense of urgency and excitement. The larger-than-usual jackpot is another factor that draws people in.
However, superstition also plays a significant role. According to the same survey, 39% of respondents believe that Friday the 13th is a lucky day with an increased probability of winning. While the chances of winning remain the same, the perception of good fortune is enough to drive sales.
The Stock Market Loves Friday the 13th
But Friday the 13th is not just a lucky day for lottery players. Stock market investors have also discovered that this day is often associated with positive returns. According to an analysis by The Income, the French CAC 40 index has performed well on Fridays the 13th, with 62% of sessions closing in the green since 1988.
In the United States, the research firm Bespoke found that the probability of the S&P 500 rising on a Friday the 13th is 58%, higher than the average for other days. The probability of a positive return is even higher than for any other Friday or 13th day of the month.
Dow Jones Market Data cited by Barron’s reveals that the average evolution of the S&P 500 index on Fridays the 13th is not only positive but also very substantial. This phenomenon has been observed since 1980, making Friday the 13th a profitable day for stock market investors.
The Psychology of Friday the 13th
So, what drives this seemingly irrational behavior? Is it mere superstition or a clever marketing ploy? The answer lies in the complex interplay of psychology, marketing, and cultural influences.
Friday the 13th has become a cultural phenomenon, perpetuated by media and popular culture. The association of the day with bad luck has been exploited by marketers to create a sense of excitement and urgency. The promise of a super jackpot or a lucrative trading day is enough to overcome people’s natural hesitation and skepticism.
Additionally, the psychological concept of cognitive bias plays a role in this phenomenon. People are more likely to take risks and act irrationally when they believe they are getting a good deal or when they are driven by emotions like hope and greed.
Conclusion
Friday the 13th has become a unique day in the world of finance, driven by a combination of effective marketing, superstition, and cultural influences. While lottery companies profit from people’s desire to win big, stock market investors have discovered that this day is often associated with positive returns.
Whether you believe in superstition or not, one thing is certain – Friday the 13th has become a day of opportunity and profit for those who are willing to take a chance. So, go ahead and buy that lottery ticket, or make that investment – who knows, it might just be your lucky day!
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H1: The Lucky Curse of Friday the 13th: How Superstition and Marketing Drive Lottery Frenzy and Boost Stock Market
H2: Lottery Frenzy: A Result of Effective Marketing and Superstition
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H2: The Psychology of Friday the 13th
* H2: Conclusion
The Lucky and Unlucky Friday the 13th: A Tale of Two Markets
Friday the 13th, a date synonymous with superstition and bad luck. However, for some, this day brings good fortune and prosperity. In the world of gambling and the stock market, Friday the 13th has become a day of unexpected surprises.
Gambling on Good Luck
For lottery companies, Friday the 13th has become a golden opportunity to boost sales. According to a survey by Jeuresponsable.fr, 69% of French people want to buy a lottery ticket on this day, compared to only 5% who play regularly in normal times. The French lottery company, FDJ, acknowledges that on Fridays the 13th, they see a significant increase in lottery ticket sales, often doubling or tripling their usual sales.
But why do people gamble more on this supposedly unlucky day? One reason is the effective marketing by lottery companies, which has made Friday the 13th a lucky day in the minds of many. The larger jackpot than usual is also a significant factor in the craze. However, when asked, respondents cite superstition as the primary reason for playing more on this day, with 39% believing that Friday the 13th is indeed a lucky day with an increased probability of winning.
The Stock Market Loves Friday the 13th
In contrast to the gambling world, the stock market has a surprisingly positive relationship with Friday the 13th. According to a study by The Income, the CAC 40 has shown a significant increase in green sessions on Fridays the 13th since January 1, 1988, with 39 sessions in the green for only 22 down. This represents a staggering 63% increase in positive sessions.
In the United States, the story is similar. Research by Bespoke shows that the probability of the S&P 500 rising on a Friday the 13th is 58% compared to 53% for the average of other days. Moreover, the average evolution of the S&P 500 index since 1980 on Fridays the 13th is not only positive but also substantial, with a gain of 0.3% on average (0.2% on the Dow Jones and 0.4% on the Nasdaq Composite).
The Mystery of the Lucky Friday
So, what explains this unusual phenomenon in the stock market? Are traders and investors superstitious, buying more shares on Friday the 13th? Or is it simply a case of statistical chance, given the small number of occurrences (a few dozen Friday the 13th since 1980 over thousands of sessions)? The answer remains a mystery, leaving everyone to form their own opinion.
Origins of Friday the 13th
The origins of Friday the 13th can be traced back to various superstitions and myths. The infamous horror movie franchise, Friday the 13th, introduced the world to a hockey mask-wearing killer named Jason, cementing the date’s reputation as a day of bad luck [1[1]. However, the franchise itself has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning 12 slasher films, a television series,
