
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election sent shockwaves through the financial markets. US stocks surged to record highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining more than 1,000 points in a single day for the first time since November 2022. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also hit new highs, rising by 2.5% and 2.95%, respectively.
The US dollar experienced its best day in two years, and Treasury yields rose as well. Market analysts attributed the gains to the quick resolution of the election, which provided the certainty investors crave. Trump flipped several swing states from President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, and Republicans also took control of the Senate.
A so-called red wave could usher in an era of deregulation and other pro-business laws and policies that investors believe could benefit the stock market. However, some market analysts pointed out that the S&P 500 has grown an average of 10% under Democratic presidents compared to 6.7% under Republicans. Gross domestic product has averaged 3.9% under Democratic presidents and 2.4% under Republicans, according to CFRA Research.
Trump’s proposed policies, such as tax breaks and increased public spending, could pose problems for the economy and significantly increase America’s budget deficit. Higher tariffs might challenge the Federal Reserve’s efforts to lower interest rates.