Can a leap year make you richer?

Investors have an extra day to put their money to work on the stock markets in 2024 – we reveal if leap years can give your portfolio a bounce

Clock showing feb 29 date
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A leap year may just seem to drag out the winter weather in February for some, but many have actually been good for investors. 

Exclusive research by Bestinvest for MoneyWeek shows average stock market performance in a leap year has often been higher than others in the MSCI World and S&P 500 indices.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Median Annual Total Returns (GBP)
Header Cell - Column 0 All yearsLeap years
FTSE 100 (since 1986)12.3%10.1%
MSCI World (since 1974)16.2%11.4%
S&P 500 (since 1974)15.2%11.2%
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Average Annual Total Returns (GBP)
Header Cell - Column 0 All yearsLeap years
FTSE 100 (since 1986)9.7%4.9%
MSCI World (since 1974)12.9%14.4%
S&P 500 (since 1974)14.3%17.6%
Marc Shoffman
Contributing editor

Marc Shoffman is an award-winning freelance journalist specialising in business, personal finance and property. His work has appeared in print and online publications ranging from FT Business to The Times, Mail on Sunday and the i newspaper. He also co-presents the In For A Penny financial planning podcast.