Every year starts almost the same for the last four years where appointment activity clusters tightly. Early January volatility is consistent year after year, with an initial bounce → small pullback → stabilization.
However, early year momentum does not determine the year.
Week 5 is the inflection point in every year.
• 2023: Explodes upward (+30% spike)
• 2024: Turns negative and softens
• 2025: Sharp drop (deep contraction)
• 2026: Controlled positive lift (~+10%)
2026 breaks away in Week 5 — but NOT violently.
• Positive lift (~+10%)
• No overextension
• No collapse in Week 6
• estimated stabilization into Week 7
This is the first year in this cycle where:
• Momentum increases
• Without volatility spike
• Without reactive correction
That’s structurally bullish where 2026 is the first year showing acceleration without instability.
