What History Tells Us About US Presidential Elections and the Market
October 1, 2020
It’s natural for investors to look for a connection between who
wins the White House and which way stocks will go. But as
nearly a century of returns shows, stocks have trended upward
across administrations from both parties.
• Shareholders are investing in companies, not a political
party. And companies focus on serving their customers
and growing their businesses, regardless of who is in the
White House.
• US presidents may have an impact on market returns,
but so do hundreds, if not thousands, of other factors—the
actions of foreign leaders, a global pandemic, interest rate
changes, rising and falling oil prices, and technological
advances, just to name a few.
Stocks have rewarded disciplined investors for decades,
through Democratic and Republican presidencies.
It’s an important lesson on the benefits of a long-term
investment approach.
Sources: Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
