Mid-term Elections and the Market: 2018 Outcome

The Center Contributed by: Center Investment Department

Mid-term Election and the Market: 2018 Outcome

Voting day came and went much as the markets had anticipated.  Democrats flipped the House of Representatives over to their control while the Senate maintained and even strengthened their republican majority.  From a legislative policy perspective, we expect the republican agenda to slow.  Mid-term election implications may include:

  • The President can continue to act alone regarding trade policies but had bi-partisan support for cracking down on China’s trade and intellectual property practices anyway

  • Democrats are going to scrutinize and investigate President Trump, his cabinet officials and executive actions…yes, even more!

  • Any further tax cuts are unlikely

  • Democrats will likely get to work on some infrastructure spending

  • Affordable Care act will be strongly defended

While markets care about legislation and the far-reaching impact those decisions make, long-term markets are agnostic to election results. Information and how markets digest the information affect investment outcomes more than politics.  Frankly, markets do not really care which side is in control.  In fact, the new balance of power sets a similar stage for the strongest historical performance in the S&P 500 for a republican president.  Want to learn more, check out this blog, “Mid-Term Elections and the Market.”


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