The Best Chinese Zodiac Years for Investing in the Stockmarket

What are the best Chinese Zodiac years for investing? We take a look at S&P 500 returns.

By Nicole Buckler

The Chinese zodiac, with its 12-year cycle of animal signs, has long fascinated people as a lens for understanding personality, luck, and even financial trends. But can it really guide your investment decisions?

Using historical S&P 500 data from 1928 to 2024, we’ve analysed average annual returns for each zodiac sign to uncover which years have been the most lucrative—and which might signal caution. Here’s what the numbers reveal about the best (and worst) years for investing, along with a peek at upcoming cycles.

For reference, 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake year begins on January 29, 2025, and ends on February 16, 2026, following the lunar calendar. It’s the sixth sign in the 12-year cycle, succeeding the Year of the Dragon (2024).

Remember kids, this isn’t financial advice. If this goes wrong for you and you lose everything you can’t sleep in our office. We will be sleeping there.

Best Chinese Zodiac years for investing: How We Analysed the Data

We examined nominal S&P 500 price returns (excluding dividends and inflation adjustments) from 1928 to 2024, a 96-year span. Each calendar year was assigned its corresponding Chinese zodiac sign—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, or Pig—based on the traditional 12-year cycle.

For instance, 1928 was a Dragon year, 1929 a Snake year, and so on. With each sign appearing 8 or 9 times over this period, we calculated the average return for each zodiac group. The results offer a quirky, historical perspective on market performance.

Average S&P 500 Returns by Zodiac Sign (1928–2024)

Here’s how the S&P 500 has performed, on average, under each Chinese zodiac sign:

• Pig: ~18.1% (highest)
• Rabbit: ~13.4%
• Dragon: ~11.7%
• Ox: ~10.7%
• Goat (Sheep): ~10.4%
• Rooster: ~8.6%
• Monkey: ~7.3%
• Dog: ~5.3%
• Rat: ~4.9%
• Tiger: ~4.9%
• Snake: ~0.6%
• Horse: ~–0.2% (lowest)

Standout Performers: Pig, Rabbit, and Dragon

The Year of the Pig tops the list with an impressive average return of 18.1%. Historical highlights include 1935 (+41%, post-Great Depression recovery) and 1995 (+34%, mid-’90s bull market). Pig years like 2019 also saw solid gains (+28.9%). If you’re looking for a historically “lucky” year, Pig stands out.

Next up is the Year of the Rabbit, averaging 13.4%. Rabbit years have been remarkably consistent, with 7 out of 8 occurrences delivering positive returns—think 1975 (+31.6%) and 2023 (+24.2%). It’s a sign that’s quietly delivered for investors.

The Year of the Dragon rounds out the top three at 11.7%. With 9 appearances in the dataset, Dragon years include winners like 1952 (+18%) and 1988 (+12%). The extra data point (1928) gives it a slight edge in reliability, and it consistently beats the S&P’s long-term average of 7–8% price-only returns.

The Laggards: Snake and Horse

On the flip side, the Year of the Snake averages a measly 0.6%, barely breaking even. Some Snake years have been outright brutal—1929 (–11.9%, the Great Depression’s start), 1941 (–17.9%, WWII), and 2001 (–13%, dot-com crash). Even strong years like 2013 (+29.6%) couldn’t lift the Snake’s dismal average. One study even pegged Snake years at –2% since 1930, calling it the zodiac’s “cursed” sign for stocks.

The Year of the Horse fares slightly worse, averaging –0.2%. Big losses in 1930 (–28.5%) and 2002 (–23.4%) offset gains like 1954 (+45%), leaving it essentially flat. Horses may run fast, but they haven’t galloped far in the market.

Upcoming Zodiac Years for Investors

The Chinese zodiac follows a predictable 12-year cycle, with each year starting around late January or early February (based on the lunar calendar). Here’s the sequence from 2025 onward, paired with their historical S&P 500 averages:

• 2025: Year of the Snake (Jan 29, 2025 – Feb 16, 2026) – Avg. Return: 0.6%
  Historically weak, but not a guaranteed loss. Diversify and brace for volatility.
• 2026: Year of the Horse (Feb 17, 2026 – Feb 5, 2027) – Avg. Return: –0.2%
  Another lackluster performer. Patience may be key.
• 2027: Year of the Goat (Feb 6, 2027 – Jan 25, 2028) – Avg. Return: 10.4%
  A solid mid-tier year—above the long-term average.
• 2028: Year of the Monkey (Jan 26, 2028 – Feb 12, 2029) – Avg. Return: 7.3%
  Near the market’s historical norm; a steady bet.
• 2029: Year of the Rooster (Feb 13, 2029 – Feb 2, 2030) – Avg. Return: 8.6%
  Slightly above average—could be a sleeper hit.
• 2030: Year of the Dog (Feb 3, 2030 – Jan 22, 2031) – Avg. Return: 5.3%
  Modest gains, but no fireworks.
• 2031: Year of the Pig (Jan 23, 2031 – Feb 10, 2032) – Avg. Return: 18.1%
  The historical champ—worth watching!
• 2032: Year of the Rat (Feb 11, 2032 – Jan 30, 2033) – Avg. Return: 4.9%
  Below average, but rarely disastrous.
• 2033: Year of the Ox (Jan 31, 2033 – Feb 18, 2034) – Avg. Return: 10.7%
  A strong contender for steady growth.
• 2034: Year of the Tiger (Feb 19, 2034 – Feb 7, 2035) – Avg. Return: 4.9%
  Middling, with mixed results historically.
• 2035: Year of the Rabbit (Feb 8, 2035 – Jan 27, 2036) – Avg. Return: 13.4%
  A top-tier year—history favors it.
• 2036: Year of the Dragon (Jan 28, 2036 – Feb 14, 2037) – Avg. Return: 11.7%
  Another bullish sign to cap the cycle.

Best Chinese Zodiac Years for Investing: Should You Invest Based on the Zodiac?

While Pig, Rabbit, and Dragon years have historically outperformed, and Snake and Horse years have lagged, these patterns are more entertaining than predictive. With only 8–9 data points per sign, the sample size is small, and major economic events (like the Great Depression or dot-com bust) skew the averages. Research suggests that only the Snake’s underperformance is statistically notable—most other variations could simply be random.

The stock market dances to the tune of economic fundamentals, corporate earnings, and global events—not cosmic cycles. Still, if you’re a long-term investor with a playful streak, the Year of the Pig (2031) or Year of the Rabbit (2035) might be fun milestones to aim for. Just don’t bet your portfolio on zodiac vibes alone—diversification and discipline remain king.

Best Chinese Zodiac Years for Investing: Final Thoughts

The next few years kick off with the Snake (2025) and Horse (2026), which history paints as sluggish. But by 2031, the Pig rolls in with its stellar track record. Maybe 2031 is the year to take a look at buying Bitcoin, too. Whether you see this as a cosmic guide or a statistical curiosity, it’s a reminder: markets are unpredictable, and past performance isn’t destiny.

Sources: S&P 500 data from 1928–2024 compiled from historical market records; zodiac mappings from standard Chinese cycle references; additional context from Econ70 and academic studies.