Check Your Politics at the Door

Check Your Politics at the Door

January 25, 2021

Old Peak Finance - Check Your Politics at the Door

Check Your Politics at the Door

January 25, 2021

The stock market is neither red nor blue.

In our highly partisan country, red vs blue colors everything -- including views on investing.

Over the past few years, I have seen that with a number of our clients. Those who lean left were reluctant to invest with Trump in office. Those who lean right were just as reluctant with Obama in office.

People often believe that, when their side controls the White House or Congress, it's time to buy stocks ... and when they are out of power, it's time to sell.

Here's the surprise: red and blue are both right about their side. And they are both wrong about the other side.

The facts: over the last century, the market has typically risen regardless of who is in power. There is no evidence that the market does better under either party.

The chart above, provided by Dimensional Fund Advisors, illustrates the point. It shows the performance of the S&P 500 index (tracking the 500 largest US stocks) from 1926 to 2019, and which party controlled Congress. The fine lines represent a split of power. The trend is clear: red, blue or split, the market, on average, advances.

And how about the White House? Same thing. For example, since 1968, the US stock market did best under a Republican (Gerald Ford -- bet you did not guess that) and worst under a Republican (George W Bush). The market advanced under every president except Nixon and the younger Bush.

Thousands of factors influence stock prices. Politics is just one. Here are just a few others in the last 50 years: the Arab oil embargo, 1970s inflation, the burgeoning of software and the chip industry, the dot com bubble, the internet, 9/11, the great recession and housing crisis, COVID-19, Japan's meteoric rise and its stock market's subsequent collapse, creation of the Euro, China's rise, Brexit ... the list is endless.

When making investing decisions, check your politics at the door. You'll be happy you did.

 

Related Blog Posts

Old Peak Finance Its Never Time to Time the Market

It’s Never Time to Time the Market

In times like these, when almost every investment is losing …

It’s Never Time to Time the Market Read More >

Old Peak Finance - Going Negative

Going Negative

We’ve just finished another election season filled with attack ads. …

Going Negative Read More >

What to Expect

What To Expect: When You’re Expecting More of the Same

With your investing and financial planning – expect something unexpected. …

What To Expect: When You’re Expecting More of the Same Read More >

This article is not intended to provide tax, legal, accounting, financial, or professional advice. Readers should seek advice from qualified professionals who can review their specific circumstances. Old Peak Finance endeavors to provide information that is accurate and current. However, we cannot guarantee that this information has not been outdated or otherwise rendered incorrect by new research, legislation, or other changes. Old Peak Finance has no liability or responsibility to any individual or entity with respect to losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained on this website.

Have Questions?

Sign up for a complimentary call. We'll listen and determine together if we can help you achieve your goals.

Scroll to Top