Interesting informational article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-funds-distort-the-stock-market-with-month-end-trading-1428375831 how-funds-distort-the-stock-market-with-month-end-trading Institutions must make cash distributions regularly to pension beneficiaries, with the end of the month being a popular date for payments. During the last eight days of the month, and most heavily during the last three, institutions sell shares to generate cash, driving down prices.