4 Things that will not change with the Democrat President elect-to-be— Kamala Harris
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4 Things that will not change with the Democrat President elect-to-be— Kamala Harris

Updated
9 Aug
2024
published
25 Jul
2024

The race for the US presidency and for control of the House and Senate staged many plot twists, with one of the most unexpected being US President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from seeking a second term in office. 

In hopes of wrestling back control of the presidency, former President Trump has seen a boost in support, both nationally and in crucial swing states after a recent failed assassination attempt. The President in office faced mounting pressure from influential Democratic Party leaders and top donors who expressed scepticism about his ability to effectively govern for another four years post a lacklustre debate. 

With Biden stepping aside, the Democratic Party now faces the task of selecting a new nominee at their upcoming convention in Chicago from 19-22 August. Vice President Kamala Harris is now a presumptive nominee with no contender for the nomination. 

This development sets the stage for a highly anticipated and potentially transformative chapter in the US presidential race. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be filled with intense speculation and anticipation as the Democratic Party prepares to chart a new course for the future. 

While voters and the media are searching for that answer for changes, we are taking a step back and taking stock of key constants in the financial markets that are going to be the same as ever. Together with commentaries from our fund manager partners, we list their observations on the coming elections. 

One party control or not… What will it not change?

This is an excerpt taken from a commentary by Janus Henderson Investors published on 18 June, 2024.

“While [different] sectors could see varying policy impacts, it does not appear that one party holds a clear advantage for the overall market. The market generally prefers congressional gridlock and a divided government, as it creates less disruption and fiscal policy uncertainty. 

Yet, S&P 500 performance data shows varying results under different party control scenarios. This underscores that strong market performance hinges more on supportive economic fundamentals than political party dominance.

‍Market returns based on party control

Source: Janus Henderson Investors, as of 13 June 2024. Market performance based on S&P 500 Index for the period 1937-2024. Party control designated in the calendar year following elections. Unified government indicates that the party of the incumbent president also controls both houses of Congress. Divided government indicates that the party of the incumbent president does not control both houses of Congress.

We expect the year’s biggest market drivers – including the trajectory of interest rates, economic growth, inflation, and corporate profits – to continue shaping the investment landscape over the next several months. Additionally, powerful secular trends like advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the burgeoning obesity drug market are poised to maintain momentum, irrespective of the White House occupant.

Those factors, rather than the political race itself, will likely play a larger role in guiding whether investors continue rotating into stocks or take a more defensive posture in the ensuing months.”

Incumbent president or not…

This is an excerpt taken from a commentary by Neuberger Berman published in July 2024.

The market impacts of the election may be more difficult to predict, given that economic and geopolitical issues can change the context in which the president must act. 

However, it may be instructive to note how the stock market has performed based on incumbent victory or defeat. As shown below, incumbent party victories have, on average, been followed by two years of strong S&P 500 Index performance relative to the two years after a challenging party victory. This is perhaps due to residual economic and earnings strength from stimulative election-year policies. The performance trend tends to reverse in years three and four, when the economy may fatigue after the “feast years” that helped to reelect the incumbent in the first place.

S&P 500 Index Presidential Year Performance (Median) After Incumbent Party Wins/Loses Presidential Race

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Source: Neuberger Berman Research and FactSet. Elections since 1952. Nothing herein constitutes a prediction or projection of future events or future market behavior. Historical trends do not imply, forecast or guarantee future results. Due to a variety of factors, actual events or market behavior may differ significantly from any views expressed or any historical results. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal.

S&P 500 Index earnings-per-share growth (average) after incumbent party wins/loses presidential race

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Source: Neuberger Berman and FactSet. Elections since 1952. Nothing herein constitutes a prediction or projection of future events or future market behaviour. Historical trends do not imply, forecast or guarantee future results. Due to a variety of factors, actual events or market behaviour may differ significantly from any views expressed or any historical results. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal.

Democratic or Republican presidency…

Haven rush, “Trump trades”, and all kinds of creative yet speculative calls abound, attempting to capitalise on the unfolding events and the final outcome of the US elections. Let’s take a step back and question whether short-term speculation is truly the most reliable approach to investing. Is there a better way to leverage the outcomes of the US elections? 

When we examine historical data, it becomes evident that the party affiliation of the President has little impact on equity market returns. Since 1929, there has been no systematic correlation between the party of the President and equity market performance. Whether a president is a Democrat or a Republican, the almost hundred years of data show that the market tends to yield positive returns over time.

The year of the election or not…

What about investing in an election year versus a non-election year? Data suggests that the timing of your investments in relation to elections may not significantly impact your overall returns. While average returns in election years may be slightly higher, they also come with increased volatility compared to non-election years. 

Ultimately, the average returns between the two are quite similar, indicating that attempting to time the market based on elections may not be worthwhile. 

What truly matters is staying invested for the long term to improve your investment outcomes. The power of compounding, earned with your time in the market, will stay true as ever. Diversification is the only free lunch in investing – same as ever. 

Mind the volatility, but do not force changes

While the US elections typically lead to short-term market fluctuations, the bottom line is that historical data suggests that market returns tend to skew upwards for the long haul, and thus long-term investing is the key to success. 

Rather than getting caught up in short-term market movements, focus on a disciplined, long-term investment strategy that aligns with your financial goals. There are also long-term factors at play.

Watch our recent webinar, as Kyungju Hong and Yulin Liu from the Endowus Investment Office look at the current market environment and review Endowus portfolio performance.

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Risk Warnings

Investment involves risk. Past performance is not an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, and you may not get the full amount you invested. Rates of exchange may cause the value of investments to go up or down. 

This article is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast or research or investment advice, and should not form the basis of any investment or other decisions. The information contained herein is not intended, and should not be construed, as any legal, tax, regulatory, accounting or financial advice. If you would like investment, accounting, tax or legal advice, you should consult with your own professional advisors regarding your individual circumstances and needs.

The information in this article may not be suitable for all investors. You are responsible for any action that you take or decision that you make in reliance on any content in this article, and you agree that Endowus HK Limited (“Endowus”) is not liable under any circumstances.

No invitation or solicitation

Neither the information, nor any opinion, contained in this article constitutes a recommendation, offer or solicitation  by Endowus or its affiliates to you to buy or sell any securities, collective investment schemes or other financial instruments or services, nor shall any such security, collective investment scheme, or other financial instruments or services be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

This is not intended to be an invitation or offer made to the public to subscribe for any financial product or to enter into any transaction.

Accuracy of Information

Whilst Endowus has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate and timely information, there may be inadvertent delays, omissions, technical or factual inaccuracies or errors in any such information. Endowus does not warrant or represent that the information in this article is correct, accurate or reliable. 

Opinions

Any opinion or estimate above is made on a general basis and none of Endowus, nor any of its affiliates, representatives or agents have given any consideration to nor have made any investigation of the objective, financial situation or particular need of any user, reader, any specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.  

Any forward-looking statements, prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or economic trends of the markets contained in this article are subject to market influences and contingent upon matters outside the control of Endowus and therefore may not be realised in the future. 

In presenting the information above, none of Endowus, its affiliates, directors, employees, representatives or agents have given any consideration to, nor have made any investigation of the objective, financial situation or particular need of any user, reader, any specific person or group of persons. Therefore, no representation is made as to the completeness and adequacy of the information to make an informed decision. You should carefully consider whether any investment views and products/ services are appropriate in view of your investment experience, objectives, financial resources and relevant circumstances.

This article has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong.

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