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Trading the US election, how does it impact the markets?

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Until 2024 US election
As we approach the 2024 US presidential elections, the anticipation isn't just political, but financial. Elections play a pivotal role in shaping not only the political landscape but also the global financial markets.

This comprehensive guide does a deep dive into the heart of how the US elections influence various market sectors, offering traders insights and strategies on how to navigate the volatility. From the timeline of the electoral process to the impact on forex, US and global stocks, and other markets, we cover everything you need to know to trade effectively during this crucial period.

Stay informed and prepared with ThinkMarkets for the 2024 US elections.

2024 US presidential elections timeline

Jan 9

Deadline for major parties to submit a list of candidates to the Secretary of State in Washington

Jan 15

Republican presidential caucus in Iowa 

Feb 6

Nevada Democratic primary

Feb 24

Republican South Carolina primary

Mar 8

Maine Democratic caucuses

Mar 11

Tennessee Democratic primary

Mar 13

Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri Republican primaries

Mar 16

Arizona, Florida Republican primaries

Apr 6

Alaska, Hawaii, and North Dakota Democratic primaries

Apr 18-20

Wyoming Republican primary

Apr 28

Puerto Rico Democratic primary

May 10

Trial for United States v. Donald Trump, Waltine Nauta, and Carlos De Oliveira set to begin

May 21

Democratic primaries in Kentucky and Oregon

May 24-26

Libertarian National Convention scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.

Jul 18-22

Republican National Convention, Charlotte, North Carolina

Nov 5

General election

Jan 10

Fifth Republican presidential primary debate

Feb 3

South Carolina Democratic primary

Feb 8

Nevada Republican caucus

Mar 5

Super Tuesday

Mar 10

Louisiana primaries (Democrats and Republicans)

Mar 12

Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri Democratic primaries

Mar 15

Arizona, Florida Democratic primaries

Apr 2

Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin Democratic and Republican primaries

Apr 13

Wyoming Democratic caucuses

Apr 23

Pennsylvania Democratic and Republican primaries

May 7

Indiana Democratic and Republican primaries

May 14

Democratic primaries in Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia

May 23

Idaho Democratic caucuses

Jun 4

Last primaries and caucuse

Aug 20-25

Democratic National Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota

How do the US presidential elections affect the markets?

The US presidential elections have global implications that affect the financial markets. Traders often consider this period as a time of volatility and opportunity.
How do the US presidential elections affect the markets?
How do the US presidential elections affect the markets?

Forex

One of the most directly affected by presidential elections is the forex market.

In the US, while the Federal Reserve is independent, the sitting US president can still exert political pressure on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to get the monetary policy that aligns well with their vision.
Forex
EUR/USD

EUR/USD

The global sentiment on candidates and the eventual winner directly correlates to the perceived strength of the country’s currency. US candidates appearing weak can cast doubts on the future of the dollar. For instance, the general consensus right now is that a Trump return would result in a lower dollar and a rise in EUR/ USD.

The policies proposed by presidential candidates can significantly influence the EUR/USD pair. For example, expansionary fiscal policies might strengthen the USD, causing the EUR/USD to tumble.

Elections bring uncertainty, leading to volatility in EUR/USD as traders react to the latest polls and candidate statements. Take note of the dates above to plan your trades.
GBP/USD

GBP/USD

The election outcome can shape US-UK relations, impacting trade agreements and economic policies, thus affecting GBP/USD. With the US president having a direct hand to play in international relations, UK-leaning candidates can cause GBP to strengthen.
Other USD pairs

Other USD pairs

Other currency pairs involving the USD respond to changes in global perception of the dollar, which can be influenced by election outcomes. If the US presidential elections are boosting investor sentiment on the dollar, forex pairs with USD as the base currency, i.e. USD/JPY, are likely to increase. Meanwhile, currency pairs with USD as the quote currency, i.e. EUR/USD, will likely decrease. The opposite holds true if the elections go sideways and investors choose to abandon the dollar.

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US stocks

The US presidential elections can significantly affect various sectors of the stock market based on the policy suggestions of the candidates.
US stocks
Healthcare sector

Healthcare sector

Policies related to healthcare reform or pharmaceutical regulations can impact healthcare stocks. A candidate favouring stringent healthcare regulations might lead to a decline in pharmaceutical stocks.
Energy sector

Energy sector

Proposals regarding the regulation of renewable energy or fossil fuels can lead to market volatility on energy stocks. A candidate promoting green energy might boost renewable energy stocks while potentially negatively impacting traditional energy companies. This may also affect commodities, such as WTI and BRENT.
Technology sector

Technology sector

Tech stocks may be influenced by policies regarding data privacy, antitrust issues, or trade relations with countries important to tech supply chains.

Proposals regarding international trade, especially with tech-heavy regions like Asia, can have a significant impact. For instance, a candidate proposing strict trade policies or tariffs could lead to volatility in tech stocks, affecting companies reliant on global supply chains. Additionally, policies around data privacy and cybersecurity can influence investor confidence in tech companies, particularly those handling large amounts of user data. 
Financial sector

Financial sector

The financial sector is sensitive to proposed changes in banking regulations and fiscal policies. A candidate advocating for tighter financial regulations may negatively impact banking stocks, as increased oversight could lead to higher operational costs.

Conversely, proposals for deregulation or tax reforms could boost investor sentiment in financial stocks, as these changes could potentially increase profitability for financial institutions. 

Global stocks

The policies of the US administration can influence international trade, economic policies, and geopolitical stability.

The stance of the US on trade agreements can affect global markets. Protectionist policies might lead to trade wars, impacting global supply chains and the stock prices of companies reliant on international trade.

The fiscal and monetary policies proposed by candidates can influence global economic growth, which in turn affects global stock markets. 

How did the previous US elections affect the markets?

While it’s impossible to accurately predict how the markets would react to the 2024 US elections, we have past data that we can use to analyse and identify patterns in.

Check out how the markets reacted during the previous US elections by using our exclusive backtesting tool, Traders’ Gym. Simply log in to ThinkTrader Web to access real historical data on the market movements of up to 4,000 instruments before, during, and after the US elections.

While past performance does not guarantee future returns, it can be considered as a reliable indicator of how the markets could potentially react.