What does President Trump mean for investors?

11.15.16 | Market Updates, Personal Finance

Now that the 2016 presidential election is over and we can refer to Donald Trump as President Trump, it’s time to examine some additional questions. More specifically, how will President Trump affect markets and other economic measurements? How will a Republican controlled Congress affect the economy? And what should an investor do?

COMPARING THE PRESIDENTS BY PARTY

Princeton economists Alan Binder and Mark Watson made a detailed study, “Presidents and the Economy: A Forensic Investigation,” analyzing the economy’s performance under presidents of the different parties. Measuring economic data from 1947 through 2nd quarter, 2013, they concluded the following:

Democrats outperformed Republican presidents in terms of real GDP growth (4.35% to 2.54%)

Democrats outperformed Republican presidents in unemployment (5.6% under Dems vs. 6% under Reps),

Democrats outperformed Republicans in the stock market (8.1% for Dems vs. 2.7% for the GOP).

Despite this data, Binder – a prominent liberal economist by the way – concluded that the differential between Democratic and Republican performance is due mostly to “good luck.”

“Democratic presidents have experienced, on average, better oil shocks than Republicans, a better legacy of (utilization-adjusted) productivity shocks, and more optimistic consumer expectations.”

CONGRESS

What effect does the party controlling Congress have on the economy?

According to the Wall Street Journal, from 1948-2008, Republican-controlled Congresses averaged stock returns 7.1% higher than Democratic-controlled Congresses. Real GDP grew 3.7% during Republican congresses and 3.2% during Democratic ones.

THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Global markets around the world are reacting with shock. Japan’s Nikkei tanked by 5.4%, most European stock markets are in negative territory and the Mexican currency has plummeted. And gold – often considered a safe haven in turbulent times – was up over 2%. The reasons for these large market movements are twofold.

First, the stock market simply had priced in a Clinton victory. One only needs to look at Monday’s almost 400-point market surge after the FBI cleared Clinton in the email investigation.

Second, the markets do not like uncertainty and there are a lot of unknowns to a Trump Administration. Remember, the markets had almost 30 years of “Clinton data” and generally knew what Clinton’s policies would look like – the same is just not known with a Trump presidency.

PLEASE REMEMBER ONE THING – PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS

The 2016 Presidential Election will forever be remembered as a historical repudiation of Washington’s political establishment. And it is precisely because of this that it’s important to examine the markets and investments of today vs. relying too much on historical trends or data.

Over the next few days, the markets will find their footing. They always do. Will the markets end the year in positive territory? Maybe, maybe not. Will the Fed raise short-term rates in December? Maybe, maybe not. Will unemployment and housing continue to be bright spots in the US economy? Maybe, maybe not.

Should you alter your investment portfolio because we now have a Republican president and likely a Republican-controlled Congress? No.

A president’s influence is large but still limited. Congress, world economies, foreign governments, military affairs, the Federal Reserve, and many other factors outside of a president’s control influence the stock market and the economy. And this time is no different.

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I’VE LEARNED

When events like the 2016 Presidential Election “surprise” the markets, I always ask myself what I’ve learned and how I can become better and more informed. And the answer to that question – for me – is obvious: the media was way off.

Up until Monday evening, I read poll after poll and article after article that predicted a Trump Presidency as nearly impossible. Even Fox News – a more right-leaning news outlet – seemed to have conceded to Clinton. How did almost every news outlet get it wrong?

Well, I’m not sure there is a single answer, but I have at least one idea. Specifically, I think that the decline in local media outlets has led to a consolidation of the “media” in New York and Washington DC. And the New York and DC media are incredibly out of touch with the rest of our country. This wasn’t a within-the-margin-of-error event like Brexit (when polls suggested that England would remain part of the EU, but voters said otherwise). This was 1) either the “media” didn’t want to report true polling numbers, 2) the media is flat-out out of touch with the rest of the country or 3) they need a refresher in statistics. Whatever the reason, it will cause me to forever look at the media with a big fat grain of salt – especially when it comes to surveys and polls.

SO WHAT SHOULD AN INVESTOR DO NOW?

Nothing, unless your personal situation has somehow changed overnight. Trying to time the market is a fool’s game – you will likely sell when the market is rising and buy when the market is falling.

One of the most important things you can do, however, is to talk to your financial advisor, especially as we approach the end of the year.

Now more than ever, it’s important to make investment decisions based on your goals and your tolerance for risk. Not based on who sits in the Oval Office.

Copyright © 2016 RSW Publishing. All rights reserved.

Distributed by Financial Media Exchange.Material in this publication is original or from published sources, and it is believed to be accurate. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and assume no liability for any resulting damages. All expressions of opinion reflect the author’s judgment at the date of publication and are subject to change without notice in reaction to changing market conditions. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Midwest Capital Advisors, LLC. This material is provided for general informational purposes only, and it is not to be construed as investment or financial advice or an offer, solicitation, recommendation or endorsement of any particular security, product or service. Readers are cautioned to consult their own tax and investment professionals with regard to their specific situations.

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