New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- There's something about Wednesdays for IDBI Bank investors. Over the past year, the lender's shares have delivered their strongest average returns midweek, only to lose ground the following day.

A Mint analysis of market data reveals a curious pattern, seemingly driven by investors betting on a breakthrough in the bank's long-awaited privatization at the Union cabinet's meetings that are typically held on Wednesdays.

The stock generated an average return of 1.08% on Wednesdays over the last one year, shows the analysis. And Thursdays saw an average return of negative 0.8%, implying traders booked profits in the very next session.

After Wednesday, Fridays brought the highest average return of 0.7%; followed by Tues...