Published on September 17, 2026

Weekly Strategy Perspectives: Debunking the Myths of Spooky Season

As autumn arrives, investors are confronting a fresh wave of market fears and volatility, prompting us to separate fact from fiction behind some of the season's most unsettling investment narratives.

Written by Carol Schleif, CFA, SASB-FSA

Weekly Strategy Perspectives: Debunking the Myths of Spooky Season

"The dominant spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted region and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of the air, is the apparition of a figure on horseback, without a head.”

– The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving

The Through Line: Shorter days. Cooler weather. Pumpkin-spiced everything. Can the mythology that stalks fall capital markets be far behind? Although we are loathe to feed the spooky season narrative, recent headlines have been too volatile to ignore. This week, we delve into some of the most frightful tales currently in circulation, divining potential truth from a witch’s brew of hyperbole.

Click to read: Weekly Strategy Perspectives: Debunking the Myths of Spooky Season