From Jeff Hersh's Stock Trader's Almanac: "The first indicator to register a reading is the Santa Claus Rally. The seven-trading day period begins on December 23 and ends on January 4. Normally, the S&P 500 posts an average gain of 1.6%. A failure to rally tends to precede bear markets or times stocks could purchased later in the year at lower prices."

Until now, Venture has been underperforming everything. If Santa is coming to town, this should reverse during this time. I fully expect that to happen, BUT - if Venture continues to underperform, I would be worried about next year even if broad markets do rally.