The Best and Worst Presidents for Stocks
Kiplinger's Personal Finance|January 2021
Presidents don’t make or break the market by themselves, but they do have an impact.
CHARLES LEWIS SIZEMORE
The Best and Worst Presidents for Stocks

MOUNT RUSHMORE features massive, 60-foot-tall busts of celebrated presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, each chosen for his respective role in preserving or expanding the Republic. But if you were to make a Mount Rushmore for presidents based on stock market performance, none of these men would make the cut. There really was no stock market to speak of during the Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln administrations, and Teddy Roosevelt does not make the grade— at least as far as Wall Street is concerned.

It’s certainly true that the person in the White House isn’t the only factor moving the market, or even the most important one. But as we inaugurate a new president this month amid tumultuous times and a volatile stock market, it’s worth looking back at how share prices have fared under past presidents.

Below are the top five and bottom five presidents, returnwise. Note that returns listed track share prices only, and they are annualized. Leaving out dividends tends to favor more recent presidents, because over the past half-century dividends have become a smaller portion of total returns. Nor are returns adjusted for inflation, which tends to favor presidents during inflationary eras (Nixon, Carter and Ford, for example) and punish those holding office during disinflationary times (FDR, George W. Bush, Obama). Presidents from Hoover to Trump are ranked using the S&P 500 index; earlier presidents are ranked using the Dow Jones industrial average.

FIVE BEST

Calvin Coolidge

President: August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCESe alt
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS

He suffered grave injuries in the line of duty. Now he helps other veterans who have disabilities.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
DO YOU NEED UMBRELLA INSURANCE?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

DO YOU NEED UMBRELLA INSURANCE?

A policy can protect you from financially devastating events.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Navigating Finances as a Blended Family
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Navigating Finances as a Blended Family

Money matters can get complicated when two families unite. Planning is key.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
BREAKING UP WITH YOUR BROKER
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

BREAKING UP WITH YOUR BROKER

Be aware of these challenges when you move your money to a new home.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Consider your health care needs over the long term as you weigh costs and coverage.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
Keep Faith in These Stocks
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Keep Faith in These Stocks

IN 1997, I coined the phrase “faith-based investing.” It has nothing to do with religion or with picking stocks at random.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
OUR ESG PICKS ARE THRIVING
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

OUR ESG PICKS ARE THRIVING

Despite an ongoing backlash, our favorite stocks and funds focused on environmental, social and corporate governance issues had a good year overall.

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2024
MONEY MANNERS FOR THE MODERN AGE
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

MONEY MANNERS FOR THE MODERN AGE

The customs for splitting a restaurant check, purchasing a wedding gift, tipping and more have evolved. These guidelines can help.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
ELECTION 2024: POLITICS AND YOUR PORTFOLIO
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

ELECTION 2024: POLITICS AND YOUR PORTFOLIO

Who wins the White House matters—but only at the margins when it comes to your investments.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT

With health care costs on the rise, it’s critical to select a plan that fits your needs at the right price.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024