October 2008 is a month many investors would like to forget after record-breaking losses in some markets. Likewise October 1987 and October 1929. What is it about October that appears to make it the cruellest month?

The fact is, it might not be. October is not a bad month to invest. According to stock market historian David Schwartz, for a long-term investor, it pays to be in the market in October. May is the real demon.