Monthly Seasonal Performance Heat Map
What is the seasonal performance heat map
Our monthly seasonal performance heat map shows
the historical monthly performance over the last 20 years, of 40 major financial markets, from every major asset class. The heat map allows you to see instantly,
the direction each market has historically moved during any month, and by how much. Green indicates months the market was positive, while red indicates months the market was negitive. The brighter the green the bigger the move has been for the market to the upside, while the brighter the red the bigger that move has been to the downside.
Monthly Seasonal Performance Heat Map
This seasonal performance heat map shows the
average historical % change in price each month.
You can use the heat map as a starting point to
help identify market direction as well as
the biggest
movers each month, before confirming the full seasonal pattern
in our advanced seasonal charts.
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(Percentages based on market performance for the past 20 years. Updated for 2025)
How to use the seasonal heat map
This seasonal heat map is a great starting point for anyone new to seasonal trading or even for experienced users who want to add more weight to their existing trading strategies. Below is a check list of how to use the information on this heat map.
- Don't just focus on individual markets. The heat map shows all the major directional changes for every major asset class through the year. Use it to prepare for this money flow from one asset to another. The strong performance of FX markets in July before a significant swing to the downside in August is a great example of this. Be sure to look across all these markets for clues this is coming. Its much easier to spot direction changes in a group of markets rather than just focusing in on one. We can see the same changes in stocks markets, metals, energy and ag markets, use it all to your advantage.
- When you have spotted a market you like the look of, check the full pattern for that market on our seasonal charts. This is so you can confirm when a move should start and end. The heat map shows you the direction in a given month, but not when it starts and ends. This is a very valuable layer of information and will allow you to better prepare for the move.
- Confirm the market is following the pattern. The biggest error traders make when using seasonal patterns is simply assuming if a market historically goes up over a given month, then they should prepare to buy. You must always confirm if the market is following the pattern or not. If it is not following the pattern, then its unlikely to play out as you expect. Markets have multiple patterns so its essential you confirm which it is following. You can do this visually by seeing if price direction and its peaks and troughs follow the seasonal pattern or you can look at the seasonal correlations on our seasonal dashboard, which will tell you which pattern a market is following.
- Lastly, look at the heat map long before you need it. If for example we are in the middle of May and you have found a trade you want to take, I don't recommend you then take a look at the heat map to see if it agrees. This is because you will still probably take the trade regardless if it agrees or not and you will not do any of steps 1 - 3 above. If you want to use seasonality in your trading and capture seasonal moves as part of your trading strategy, you need to look ahead. If we are now in the middle of May, you should be looking ahead to the seasonal moves expected in June and July. This gives you ample time to do steps 1 - 3, but more importantly allows you to see a move develop over time and you will be able to trade it in a more efficient way, getting in earlier etc. Seasonal patterns allow you to see potential future market moves, if you wait until the present to see them, you're not doing it right.
