Communication Services Sector Seasonality

How S&P 500 communication services stocks have behaved through the calendar year, measured with XLC, the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund, over the last 8 years. Its strongest month has been January (average +4.50%, higher in 5 of 7 years), and its weakest September (−2.04%, higher in 3 of 8).

Communication Services seasonality chart

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Average year for XLC over the last 8 years: it ends the year +16.3%, with its highest point around December 28 (+16.8%) and its lowest around January 1 (0.0%). Each past year is rebased to 0% on January 1 and the years are averaged day by day. Rising stretches are when XLC has tended to gain.

Communication Services stocks seasonality by month

XLC has beaten the S&P 500 (SPY) on average in 6 of the 12 months, with its biggest edge in January (+3.22%). XLC launched more recently, so its figures cover 8 years while SPY's cover 15, which makes this comparison rougher.

MonthXLC avgHigher inSPY avg
January+4.50%5 of 7 yrs+1.28%
February−0.90%2 of 7 yrs+1.12%
March+0.05%5 of 7 yrs+0.57%
April+1.52%4 of 7 yrs+1.18%
May+3.06%6 of 7 yrs+1.03%
June+1.93%6 of 7 yrs+1.37%
July+2.38%6 of 8 yrs+2.70%
August+1.52%5 of 8 yrs+0.16%
September−2.04%3 of 8 yrs−1.16%
October−0.72%4 of 8 yrs+2.17%
November+3.50%6 of 8 yrs+3.29%
December−0.04%5 of 8 yrs+0.31%

From split- and dividend-adjusted prices, complete years only. See our methodology. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Communication Services stocks in the S&P 500

22 stocks, largest first by market cap as of November 2026. Open any one for its own seasonality chart and best months.

GOOGLAlphabetGOOGAlphabetMETAMeta PlatformsNFLXNetflixDISWalt DisneyVZVerizonTMUST-Mobile USTAT&TCMCSAComcastAPPAppLovinLYVLive Nation EntertainmentSKYDSkydanceTTWOTake-Two InteractiveECHOEchoStarFOXAFoxFOXFoxOMCOmnicomRDDTRedditNWSNewsNWSANewsTKOTKOCHTRCharter Communications

Communication Services seasonality FAQ

What is the best month for communication services stocks?

Measured by XLC over the last 7 years, January has been the strongest month, averaging +4.50% and rising in 5 of 7 years.

What is the worst month for communication services stocks?

September has been the weakest, averaging −2.04% and rising in 3 of 8 years.

Which stocks are in the communication services sector?

The 22 S&P 500 communication services stocks listed on this page, led by GOOGL, GOOG, META, NFLX, DIS by market cap.

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