Democrats Outperform Republicans by Wide Margin
The Dow Jones industrial average increased by 29.5% in the one-year period following Barack Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009—the third best showing, going back 110 years, for the U.S. stock market in the 12 months following the inauguration of a new President. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first year, which began on March 4, 1933, tops the list with the Dow increasing by 96.5% over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter trails his peers with a loss of 19.6%. On average, Presidents in the Democrat party saw an average one-year gain of 24%, while Republicans averaged 1%.
Barack Obama (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 2009
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +29.5%
At 468%, Genworth Financial was the best-performing S&P 500 stock during Obama’s first year in office.
William J. Clinton (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1993
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +19.3%
The industrial sector was the best-performing sector in the 12 months following Clinton’s inauguration.
Woodrow Wilson (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Mar. 4, 1913
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +0.5%
After World War I began during Wilson’s second year, the U.S. stock market closed for 4 1/2 months.
John F. Kennedy (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1961
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +10.8%
The U.S. economy grew 6% in 1961, more than any other President’s first year since at least 1948.
Lyndon B. Johnson (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Nov. 22, 1963
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +21.6%
The Dow increased 27% over the length of Johnson’s five-plus years in office, or about 5% a year.
Richard M. Nixon (REP)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1969
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: -17.0%
The Dow also lost 17% during the first year of Nixon’s second term.
Ronald Reagan (REP)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1981
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: -12.7%
The prime rate topped 21%—the highest level on record—during Reagan’s inaugural year.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (REP)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1953
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +0.5%
The Dow hit a bottom in September 1953 and then went on to double over the next 2 1/2 years.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Mar. 4, 1933
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +96.5%
The Dow Jones industrial average rose by an average 9% a year during FDR’s 12-year tenure.
George Bush (REP)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1989
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +19.6%
The 1980s ended during Bush’s first year, with the Dow rising 228% over the decade, or 13% a year.
George W. Bush (REP)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 2001
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: -7.7%
During his eight years in office, the Dow fell 22%, to 8,281. The S&P 500 lost 37%, closing at 850.
Gerald R. Ford (REP)
Inauguration Date: Aug. 9, 1974
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +4.2%
The Dow fell 45% between Jan. 11, 1973, and Dec. 6, 1974, one of the worst bear markets in history.
Harry S. Truman (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Apr. 12, 1945
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: +30.9%
Almost 18 years after reaching 200 for the first time, the Dow again climbed to 200 in January 1946.
Herbert Hoover (REP)
Inauguration Date: Mar. 4, 1929
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: -15.6%
The Dow dropped 48% from Sept. 3 to Nov. 13 in 1929.
Jimmy Carter (DEM)
Inauguration Date: Jan. 20, 1977
Percentage Change in Dow Jones Industrial Average During First Year in Office: -19.6%
Inflation increased by more than 6% during Carter’s fi rst year.
