The problem is always with regard to the weak, badly placed and afflicted planets or the sub-periods of the functional malefics for trend results related to sub-periods.  The short-term problem is indicated by the malefic transit over the natal planets.  The good results should be indicated for the significations of the well-placed strong planets having good close conjunctions/aspects.

The position of functional benefic planet(s) in the dusthana houses make them weak but if it is in the eighth house near the MEP of the house then despite weakness it is good as it aspects the MEP of the second house.  In the case of Jupiter posited in the eighth house it also aspects the twelfth, and fourth houses besides the second house.  The detailed study of the functional malefic planets and the planets in the evil house has been taken up in 'Lords & Planets in Evil Houses'. The case studies included here and in all the books from authors V. K. Choudhry & K Rajesh Chaudhary bring out the techniques for quickly spotting the prominent events in life.