What is the Santa Claus rally, and does it really matter for investors heading into 2026?

In this final Fastest Four Minutes in Finance of 2025, Scott Inman breaks down the history behind the Santa Claus rally — the stock market’s tendency to rise during the final week of the year — and what it may signal for January and the year ahead.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Santa Claus rally is and where it came from

• How often the stock market rises in the final week of the year

• What past Santa Claus rallies have meant for January and annual returns

• Why investors shouldn’t rely on seasonal trends alone

• What really drives markets as we head into 2026

As always, this episode is about perspective, not prediction — and helping investors stay focused on long-term financial independence.