Sector Plays: Bush vs. Kerry

Money.CNN.com ^ | March 2004 | Malina Poshtova Zang

[Choose Ye This Day]

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -- With John Kerry practically holding the Democratic presidential nomination and gaining ground against President Bush in a number of polls, economists at Merrill Lynch took a closer look at what sectors of the economy stand to benefit or suffer with either Kerry or Bush in the White House. The traditional perception is that Republicans in power are more favorable for business and Wall Street, although stocks tend to do better and are less volatile when a Democrat lives in the White House.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Overall, the markets stand to win if Bush retains the White House. Of course, this is all speculation.

[Betaille]

"Kerry will likely push to make the war on terrorism more high-tech."
HUH!?!?!? What is their source on this? Kerry has voted against every military upgrade we've had in the last 30 years!
Also, Kerry would be good for small business? Raising taxes is good for small business?!

[headsonpikes]

I'm not a highly-paid Merrill Lynch analyst, but I'd add that precious metals stocks are going to soar under either big spender.

JMHO. ;^)

[Choose Ye This Day]

I raised an eyebrow at the small business summary as well. This is CNN, after all.

[expat_panama]

The traditional perception is that Republicans in power are more favorable for business and Wall Street, although stocks tend to do better and are less volatile when a Democrat lives in the White House.

Yesserie-- everyone says that the evil Republicans just care about evil big business and not about regular little guys like you and me, but the truth is that the Democrats are better for everyone, including those evil big businesses that we all hate.

Not quite.