Which party (if any) do you think will be better for the stock market?

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:36:07 -0400

https://www.oppenheimerfunds.com/investors/article/what-investors-need-to-know-about-the-2016-election/democrat-or-republican-makes-no-difference-to-stocks

According to the article, there is little difference. I don't know that I believe it, but I started planning for retirement later than I should have so I am behind in the game anyway.

Presidential Impact on Stock Markets

Although it’s commonly believed that the market benefits from having the pro-business GOP control the White House, history tells a different story.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 31 at 2016 4:47 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 16:47:12 -0400

Under GHW Bush, I turned 18, graduated high school, and started college, so I had nothing.
Under Clinton, I went from attending college to working, culminating with my enlistment in the USN. So I was better off financially when Clinton was President than I was when GHW Bush was President.
Under GW Bush, I transitioned from the USN back to civilian life. I learned Computers, and started a career in IT so I was better under GW Bush than I was under Clinton
Under Obama, early on the housing bubble burst causing layoffs within my company. I survived the layoffs, but salary was frozen. As the economy has improved, I have received regular raises, and I continue in my IT career with the same company. So I am better off now than I was under GW Bush.
This is expected growth. The economy if you look at it from a hundred years ago to now has steadily grown. Even in a down turn, the long term has still been a climb.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 5:11 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:11:15 -0400

Do not worry about who is in office. Instead focus on the things that you control. Save as much as you can with regular contributions to Roth IRA's, 401K's, etc. Keep track of where your money is going, and adjust accordingly. Ensure that your asset allocation matches your risk tolerance.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 31 at 2016 5:22 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:22:43 -0400

Definitely a Challenging Question, Lot of Data Involved. Compare and contrast Democratic President, Republican Congress. Democratic President, Democratic Senate, Republican House. 3 different groups of Variables 3 to the 3rd to analyze.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 31 at 2016 5:25 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:25:30 -0400

Best advice is to look into ETF's (Exchange Traded Funds) - They are traded on the stock market but mimic futures and options. Regardless of the winning party the market is going to take it on the chin. Hedge against the market crash via this investment vehicle. As always diversification in a protfolio is a good idea.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12667398/1/etfs-to-make-you-rich-during-a-market-crash.html

ETFs to Make You Rich During a Market Crash

Wall Street created a solution for investors who want to hedge against or even profit during a falling market and it's called inverse/short/bear exchange-traded funds.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 31 at 2016 5:43 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:43:16 -0400

The issue with "economy" pieces is that they are Delayed Reaction.

How long does it take for the Economy to react to the Policies and Legislature? 2 years? 4 Years? a Decade? Or is it a natural "cycle?"

Now once we account for "time" as a variable, we have to determine whether the Executive (Enforcement Policy) or Legislature is primarily (or more) responsible for it. Since we change parties like we change underwear, it's really hard to attribute success one way or another in my opinion.

I think "business" exploits the environment to the best of their ability, and the incumbent party is "inconsequential."

Response by Alan K. made Mar 31 at 2016 5:50 PM

Alan K. — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 17:50:51 -0400

I don't think the market is going to be nice to either....!

Response by LTJG Joe Nichols made Apr 7 at 2016 1:51 PM

LTJG Joe Nichols — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:51:45 -0400

Only looking at the Dow Jones average, in the past, the stock market has done better under a Democratic president vs Republicans. Yearly returns have been over 15% vs 5% for Republicans. The real drivers of the market are the macroeconomic trends set by private industry along with the political trends set by Congress, such as taxes and wars. This shows that it is not the president driving the market but the overall economic and political climate that produces growth in the companies that are in the stock market.

Response by LTJG Joe Nichols made Apr 7 at 2016 1:57 PM

LTJG Joe Nichols — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 13:57:50 -0400

Only looking at the Dow Jones average, in the past, the stock market has done better under a Democratic presidents than under Republicans. Yearly returns have been over 15% vs 5% for Republicans. The real drivers of the market are the economic trends set by private industry along with political trends set by Congress, such as taxes and wars. This shows that it is not the president driving the market but the overall economic and political climate that produces growth in the companies that are in the stock market.

Response by PO2 Cary Blackwell made Apr 10 at 2016 9:57 PM

PO2 Cary Blackwell — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 21:57:49 -0400

The stock market, you lose more than you make.