Understanding Economic Headwinds Beyond Political Control

As the 2024 election season approaches, investors are pondering a crucial question: Will stocks crash if Donald Trump wins another term and Republicans gain control of Congress? Understanding the historical context of stock market performance under similar political conditions can provide valuable insights into what might lie ahead.

During his previous term, President Trump presided over significant market gains. From his inauguration in January 2017 to the end of his term, key indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite surged by 57%, 70%, and a remarkable 142%, respectively. These gains were achieved amidst a backdrop of Republican control in Congress for the initial two years and a divided Congress for the latter half of Trump’s tenure.

Should Trump secure reelection alongside a Republican-controlled Congress, potential challenges could emerge on two fronts. Firstly, there’s the prospect of tax reforms aimed at lowering corporate and personal income-tax rates, which could bolster disposable income but worsen the nation’s burgeoning debt levels. Additionally, renewed tariffs on Chinese goods, as proposed by Trump, might escalate trade tensions and impact consumer prices negatively.

However, broader macroeconomic headwinds could pose a more substantial threat, irrespective of the election outcome. Notably, the recent decline in the U.S. M2 money supply—a metric encompassing cash, demand deposits, savings, and CDs below $100,000—signals a departure from its historical growth trend. Historically, such contractions have coincided with deflationary depressions and economic downturns.

The decline in M2 money supply is a rare occurrence, happening only a handful of times over the past century. Previous instances have been associated with periods of economic contraction and unemployment. While policymakers today possess greater expertise in averting depressions, the decline in money supply typically leads to reduced consumer spending—a harbinger of economic recession, often accompanied by stock market declines.

Another lingering concern is elevated stock valuations, exemplified by the S&P 500’s Shiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, currently standing at 33.34—almost double its historical average. This ratio has historically preceded market downturns, with previous instances culminating in S&P 500 corrections ranging from 20% to 89%.

Despite these potential pitfalls, historical data reveals an intriguing trend. Research by CFRA Research spanning from 1945 to 2021 suggests that a Republican-controlled government has historically yielded positive market returns. Over eight years of unified Republican governance during this period, the S&P 500 averaged a robust 12.9% annual return, outpacing periods of Democrat control.

In summary, while the prospect of a Trump presidency and Republican-controlled Congress presents policy uncertainties and economic challenges, historical precedent suggests that the stock market tends to perform favorably under similar circumstances. Ultimately, the market’s response to political outcomes underscores the complex interplay between policy decisions, macroeconomic forces, and investor sentiment that shape market dynamics.

Understanding this historical context can empower investors to navigate potential market turbulence with informed perspectives and strategic insights, leveraging past trends to anticipate future outcomes in an ever-changing financial landscape.