According to researchers bad weather can affect the stock market negatively. The study which reveals that bad weather triggers mild depression that distracts "even the most sophisticated of investors." http://www.fox28.com/story/30472784...r-can-affect-the-stock-market-investor-advice . . . according to researchers brokerage-firm analysts experiencing bad weather were nine to 18-percent less likely to issue an annual earnings forecast, recommendation to buy, hold or sell, or make target-price recommendations.
I hadn't really thought about the effects of weather on something like the stock market, but I guess if the bad weather affects people's moods, the stock market relies on people, so it is going to have a knock on effect I guess.
I love these one-off stories with sweeping generalities and no specificity. Limited to the USA or global? Length of study? Time period? In a period of market growth or recession? In recent times I can only recall the New York markets closing for periods of days is 9-11 and Superstorm Sandy. An occasional snowstorm may slow things for a few hours as some personnel fight their way into work. This "study" as reported? Forget about it. Pfft.
Well yeah, I guess bad weather can affect a person's mood and that can change their point of view when analysing companies. While it's a poor study, at least it's one more reason to disregard all of those analyst price estimates.
Agreed, and not only is it a poor study, but what's the point of it again, and why would somebody care? Studies like this just prove to me only a couple of things. People have too much time on their hands and too much money with nothing to spend it on.