When markets are up on the first 5 days of the year, historically, the probability of the rest of the year being positive has been 85%. It's only a probability - not a guarantee, but it looks good this year.

Just about all markets were up for the first 5 days of January. It wasn't spectacular, but definitely OK. Better still, small caps outperformed larger stocks, Canadian markets outperformed US markets, and Venture outperformed TSX. The most beat up stocks on Venture performed best of all. And pretty much the same pattern as the Santa trade (of course, there was a 2 day overlap).

I doubt this year will be easy trading (especially the first half), but overall, the year should be positive, methinks.