It would be safe to say that this election season intensified emotions and left many investors uncertain of how the results could impact equity markets and their investments.
However, savvy investors have learned that equity markets have historically cared more about an election being over than they have about who won. While you may be disappointed that the person you voted for did not win, stock prices are nonpartisan. They are more commonly tied to earnings and corporations' health than politics. What equity markets do not like is uncertainty, and the period prior to an election is filled with just that, especially during this most recent, particularly tense election campaign.
Company earnings, valuations, and the Federal Reserve have historically affected equity markets more than election results. Strong companies find ways to survive under both Democratic and Republican Presidents. For instance, companies like Apple will continue to develop and recreate their iPhones, and Amazon will continue to deliver packages regardless of who wins the election. The best-run companies typically find ways to advance, regardless of who occupies the White House.
History has proven that a well-balanced, diversified plan that eliminates emotion is in the best interest of any investor. The election results have left many either optimistic or pessimistic about the coming years. This can test the confidence of many investors, tempting them to make emotional moves in their financial plans.
Making investment decisions solely based on the election results is not recommended. Emotional investing, or trying to time the market, is typically challenging, if not impossible. Seasoned investors adjust their holdings based on the unique circumstances they are facing and the desired result they are looking to accomplish. A sound investment strategy should focus on the long-term instead of current events or short-term fluctuations.
As your financial professional, it is our responsibility to help you invest wisely to pursue your goals. If you are nervous or concerned about your situation, please call our office and schedule some time to speak with us.
Tax Law Changes Are Coming
Regardless of whether the candidate you voted for won or not, 2025 and 2026 will bring changes to tax laws. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2025. Currently, there are many different proposals for extending, expiring, or changing parts of the TCJA. Even if no tax law changes are voted in, tax law changes are scheduled to happen. Here are some items that are on the table investors should be aware of:
Income Taxes: You may find yourself with higher or lower individual tax rates.
Deductions: You could have greater or reduced itemized deductions.
Corporate Taxes: Corporate tax rates could increase or decrease.
Qualified dividends and capital gains rates: There could be higher or lower capital gains rates.
Estate Taxes: Estate tax exemptions could significantly increase or decrease.
Child Tax Credit: There could be a potential expansion for those with children
We are keeping a close eye on upcoming tax law changes and how they may affect our clients. As your financial professional, we will guide you when appropriate so that you may plan and strategize according to your unique situation.
Diversification and Long-term Strategies Prevail
While short-term fluctuations may occur around an election, equities are more influenced by economic factors, including interest rates, corporate earnings, and inflation. As you can see from the graph, with the exception of 1981 (due to the Energy Crisis Recession) and 2001 (due to the 9-11 attacks), one-year post-election, the S&P 500 has had reasonable returns.
Rather than focusing on the latest headlines from media sources that thrive on the dramatic and sensational side, investors should attempt to adopt a plan that can help them navigate a variety of scenarios that may arise.
Remember, a financial or tax professional could assist you by helping you build a sensible plan that can help you weather various economic situations, including election cycles. As the steward of your wealth, we trust that you feel we know your financial situation more than the talking heads on your television screen. We strive to stay current and educated and maintain an unclouded political judgment on any economic issues that could affect your plan so you can rest easily.
Having a diversified portfolio focused on long-term goals has proven to be a wise strategy for savvy investors. Helping our clients create a well-devised plan that can help them navigate volatility and uncertainty is one of our main goals. Recent history has shown us to expect the unexpected. Regardless of who is sitting in the Oval Office or in the House and Senate, we want our clients to have a plan that can weather a variety of economic scenarios that could occur in the coming years and beyond.
As a reminder, please inform us of any changes (such as health issues or adjustments to your retirement goals). The more we understand about your unique financial situation, the better equipped we will be to advise you effectively.
We take pride in providing:
consistent and effective communication,
a schedule of regular client meetings, and
ongoing education for every member of our team on the issues that impact our clients.
If you would like to discuss your situation with us, please call our office.
Disclosure:
Advisory Services offered through Materetsky Financial Group Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Private Client Services and Materetsky Financial Group Inc. are unaffiliated entities. All insurance products are offered through unaffiliated insurance companies. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Materetsky Financial Group, Inc. [“Materetsky]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this commentary will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this commentary serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Materetsky. Materetsky is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the commentary content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Materetsky’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request or at www.materetsky.com. Please Remember: If you are a Materetsky client, please contact Materetsky, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian. Note: The views stated in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of broker/dealer, and should not be construed, directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Investors should be aware that there are risks inherent in all investments, such as fluctuations in investment principal. With any investment vehicle, past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Material discussed herewith is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. This material contains forward looking statements and projections. There are no guarantees that these results will be achieved. All indices referenced are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is general considered representative of the U.S. Stock market. The modern design of the S&P 500 stock index was first launched in 1957. Performance prior to 1957 incorporates the performance of the predecessor index, the S&P 90. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), commonly known as “The Dow” is an index representing 30 stocks of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. CDs are FDIC Insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.