History
Sell in May and Go Away was written by Laurence Watts over many years and first published in his book Biotech IPOs and Investor Relations in April 2026.
The subject of the poem is the historical underperformance of equity markets from May through October relative to November through April. For example, according to Investopedia, from 1990 to 2023, the S&P 500 delivered an average gain of approximately 3% from May to October, compared with 6.3% from November to April.
Since its release, the poem has been republished around the English-speaking world.
Each May 1, the poem is made freely available for press-publication for 24 hours.
This is the only place where readers can purchase a signed copy directly from the author.
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Equity Research and Investor Relations
Laurence spent almost three decades working in equity research and investor relations, spanning London, Singapore and New York.
About the Author
Travel
He has traveled to every country in the world, all fifty U.S. States, all seven continents, and to the South Pole.
Books
Laurence has written or edited 11 books at the time of writing - covering business, biography, comedy, plays and poetry.
Sell in May and Go Away
SELL IN MAY AND GO AWAY
“Sell in May and go away,”
That’s what the canny traders say,
For optimism turns to gloom
Within the thirty days of June.
With scraps of news and volume dry,
The days grow longer in July,
Then, prices wilt beneath the sun
In August, absent everyone.
September brings yet further bust,
As stocks are dumped and bets adjust,
But come October, raise your head,
Position well for times ahead.
For in November, rallies call,
As funds give thanks to one and all,
And then proclaim, “Goodwill to longs!”
When choirs sing December songs.
In January, the New Year thrills,
With ledgers all reset to nil,
Then, hawks outnumbered by the doves,
Sweet February returns thy love.
Stay the course when March arrives,
As madness rules and markets thrive,
And then be not an April Fool,
Let profits swell the bonus pool.
Then bull or bear or short or long,
Remember well this simple song,
And listen to what traders say,
When years return once more to May.
© Laurence Watts 2026.
Press
Globe Newswire
Initial Press Release
May 1, 2026
To learn more about Laurence Watts please visit www.laurencewatts.com