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Stocks that feast during Thanksgiving week

Adam Shell
USA TODAY

The Thanksgiving week often is a bullish feast for stock investors, with the S&P 500 stock index posting average returns of 0.63% the past 50 years, above the punier 0.14% gain in all weeks, according to Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Trader Anthony Satriale, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Investors looking to profit from the positive vibes of what's left of the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week should keep their money in the stock market.

Ask Matt: Is Hormel hurt by meat fears?

U.S. stocks have posted average gains of 0.33% on the Wednesday before turkey day, closing positive 82% of the time. Similarly, the S&P 500 has gained 0.27% on average on the Friday after Thanksgiving, finishing up 70% of the time. (One caveat: Stocks have finished down the Friday after Thanksgiving five of the past six years, Schaeffer's Investment Research says.)

But investors looking to really cash in during the Thanksgiving week should consider stocks that have fared the best the past 10 years. The best-performing stock over the last decade in the four- session trading week is upscale fashion retailer Nordstrom, which has posted average returns of 6.4%. This year the retailer is living up to its reputation, gaining 4.6% through Tuesday.

Coach, the high-end maker of leather goods and handbags, also is a solid pick, gaining 5.5% on average since 2005 and rallying more than 5% this week. Other winners: high-end jewelry maker Tiffany and iPhone maker Apple. So far this week, Tiffany shares are moving higher, but Apple shares have dipped.

Adam Shell on Twitter: @adamshell.

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