Trump vs Biden: How either presidency will affect US sectors

Trump vs Biden: How either presidency will affect US sectors

US Election
Peter Garnry

Chief Investment Strategist

The US election buzz is heating up and with a historically early conclusion to the intra-party fight for presidential candidacy, the campaigning may begin earlier than usual. In this equity note, we offer our early best-guess attempt to predict what industries or themes will be positively impacted if either former President Donald J. Trump or incumbent president Joe Biden wins the election on November 5.

At this point we are still guessing how the market thinks about the US election. Four years ago, it was not until the first direct debate on TV that the market revealed its positioning. This will most likely happen again in 2024, so as we get closer to election day and get to know more about what the two candidacies will focus on, we may change and/or update the takes on what industries and themes will be affected by whomever eventually takes office on January 20, 2025.

If Trump becomes president

Last time around, when Trump was president from 2016 to 2020, he had a major focus on supply-side economics seen with his drastic cut in the corporate tax rate. Many of the benefits from his policies are questionable as it relates to the ordinary American, but the corporate sector and the equity market loved it. With US public debt growing faster than nominal GDP the room for Trump to engage in supply side economics, including cutting taxes, is no longer available. Trump’s policies from 2016-2020 cannot be carried out without severely risking the trust in USD and the long run fiscal sustainability of the US economy. On a more practical note, there are some obvious sectors of the equity market that might respond positively to a Trump victory:

  1. European defence

    Trump has long been critical for Europe’s contribution to NATO and threatened to pull the US from NATO, if he becomes president, or the very least, not offering any protection for NATO countries contributing the minimum agreed 2% of GDP. It is doubtful that Trump would pull the US out of NATO, but his rhetoric has set off alarm bells across Europe’s capitals and many EU countries are drastically increasing military budgets.

  2. US real estate
    American real estate has had a tough time in the recent years. It is a sector where Trump is personally involved, and he also has many powerful friends within the industry. It is, therefore, relevant to see him pushing politics to support that industry getting back on its feet. It’s also something that fits well in Trump’s political focus on improving the lives of regular Americans.

  3. US small caps

    The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index has shown in 2016 and 2020, that small business owners lean in favour of the Republican Party and Trump. Like with real estate, supporting small businesses fits Trump’s narrative under the policy of “America First” and it is therefore likely that small caps will again thrive with him in office.

If Biden becomes president

According to his State of the Union speech in early March, a re-election of Biden will give the US a forward-looking president instead of one wanting to pull the country back in time. With that, Biden most likely means that he wants to be viewed as the one that drives new forms of energy, increased international collaboration and drives modern solutions for a modern US. In that regard, the following three industries and themes may be affected positively if Joe Biden extends his stay in the oval office. Many of these initiatives were packaged in what was known as the INVEST in America Act, which now has the less pedestrian name the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Biden may go all-in on his expansive fiscal policy, running large deficit, to finance big infrastructural projects in the US to transform the country to be supportive of future productions and industries.

  1. Clean energy

    The Democratic party has for long been the most progressive when it comes to driving the green transformation in the US compared to its counterpart. It is therefore likely that companies within that transformation will enjoy stronger support with Biden as president.

  2. Infrastructure

    It is generally a well-known issue that US infrastructure such as highways, airports, and bridges are in a bad state. This is one of the things that Joe Biden has worked on improving in this presidency and that is likely to continue, helping companies within such industries. Clean water is also a growing issue that may be addressed by Biden.

  3. Financials and semiconductors

    If Biden gets picked it’ll be his final four years, and I believe he wants to make a firm difference and bring change to the US. To do so, he will need to create an environment where the financial industry is able to support some of the major initiatives he set in motion in his period – most noticeably the aforementioned INVEST in America Act and the US CHIPS Act. These policies are designed to strengthen US domestic manufacturing, design and research etc. related to semiconductors. To do so, he will need to create an environment where banks and other financial institutions can offer the financing needed.

These may be some of the industries and themes that could be affected by either president. Again, it is important to note that as of now these are best guesses based on the little information, we have available about the two candidates’ political programme, and we will adjust as we get closer and knows more. This should only be seen as inspiration and not as investment advice.

Quarterly Outlook

01 /

  • Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro outlook: Trump 2.0: Can the US have its cake and eat it, too?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: The ride just got rougher

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Quarterly Outlook

    China Outlook: The choice between retaliation or de-escalation

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

  • Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: A bumpy road ahead calls for diversification

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX outlook: Tariffs drive USD strength, until...?

    John J. Hardy

    Global Head of Macro Strategy

  • Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Quarterly Outlook

    Fixed Income Outlook: Bonds Hit Reset. A New Equilibrium Emerges

    Althea Spinozzi

    Head of Fixed Income Strategy

  • Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Quarterly Outlook

    Equity Outlook: Will lower rates lift all boats in equities?

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    After a period of historically high equity index concentration driven by the 'Magnificent Seven' sto...
  • Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Quarterly Outlook

    Commodity Outlook: Gold and silver continue to shine bright

    Ole Hansen

    Head of Commodity Strategy

  • Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Quarterly Outlook

    Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun

    Peter Garnry

    Chief Investment Strategist

    The Fed started the US rate cut cycle in Q3 and in this macro outlook we will explore how the rate c...
  • FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Quarterly Outlook

    FX Outlook: USD in limbo amid political and policy jitters

    Charu Chanana

    Chief Investment Strategist

    As we enter the final quarter of 2024, currency markets are set for heightened turbulence due to US ...

Content disclaimer

None of the information provided on this website constitutes an offer, solicitation, or endorsement to buy or sell any financial instrument, nor is it financial, investment, or trading advice. Saxo Bank A/S and its entities within the Saxo Bank Group provide execution-only services, with all trades and investments based on self-directed decisions. Analysis, research, and educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice nor a recommendation.

Saxo’s content may reflect the personal views of the author, which are subject to change without notice. Mentions of specific financial products are for illustrative purposes only and may serve to clarify financial literacy topics. Content classified as investment research is marketing material and does not meet legal requirements for independent research.

Before making any investment decisions, you should assess your own financial situation, needs, and objectives, and consider seeking independent professional advice. Saxo does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided and assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information.

Please refer to our full disclaimer and notification on non-independent investment research for more details.
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-mena/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)


Business Hills Park – Building 4,
4th Floor, office 401, Dubai Hills Estate, P.O. Box 33641, Dubai, UAE

Contact Saxo

Select region

UAE
UAE

All trading and investing comes with risk, including but not limited to the potential to lose your entire invested amount.

Information on our international website (as selected from the globe drop-down) can be accessed worldwide and relates to Saxo Bank A/S as the parent company of the Saxo Bank Group. Any mention of the Saxo Bank Group refers to the overall organisation, including subsidiaries and branches under Saxo Bank A/S. Client agreements are made with the relevant Saxo entity based on your country of residence and are governed by the applicable laws of that entity's jurisdiction.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.