Friday, the 13th proves second-time spooky for Sensex

Friday, the 13th, today proved to be unlucky for second time in a row for the Sensex, although this widely-considered-inauspicious day has proved to be thirteenth time lucky for the stock market barometer in the past 13 years.

The markets opened on a strong note today and the Sensex rallied by more than 100 points in the morning trade itself. However, it lost momentum in the afternoon trade and the Sensex closed nearly 19 points down at 17,213.70.

Incidentally, a total of 13 Sensex stocks today managed to close in the positive territory.

As per a Western superstition, Friday the 13th is considered to be unlucky and it was the third occasion today when this has occurred in the current calendar year, 2012. The last two such dates were April 13 and January 13 -- both of which fell on Fridays.

Belying the superstitious belief, the stock market's benchmark index has managed to post gains as many as 13 times on Friday, the 13th dates in the past 13 years.

However, it was the second straight occasion today, after April 13, 2012, that the Sensex closed in the negative territory on a Friday, the 13th.

The Sensex had dropped 238 points on April 13, 2012, but had risen 117 points prior to that on January 13, 2012.

In the past 13 years, there have been a total of 23 Friday, the 13th dates. Out of these, the Sensex has gained 13 times, fallen 9 times and the market was closed once.

The net gain for the Sensex on all Friday, the 13th dates in the past 13 years has been little more than thirteen hundred points.

There is at least one Friday, the 13th date in every calendar year, while there can be a maximum of three such dates in a year.

In the past 13 years, three such dates have occurred in each of 2012, 2009, twice during the years 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002 and 2001, as also once each in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2003, 2000 and 1999.

Among these, the Sensex have closed lower on July 13, 2012, April 13, 2002, June 13, 2008, January 13, 2006, May 13, 2005, August 13, 2004, September 13, 2002, October 13, 2000 and August 13, 1999.

Besides, the Sensex has moved higher on January 13, 2012, May 13, 2011, August 13, 2010, November 13, 2009, March 13, 2009, February 13, 2009, July 13, 2007, April 13, 2007, October 13, 2006, February 13, 2004, June 13, 2003, December 13, 2002 and on July 13, 2001.

The markets were closed on April 13, 2001, also a Friday, the Thirteenth.