What president had the largest stock market gain?
President Calvin Coolidge, who took office in 1923, whose stock price performance change was a whopping 208.52%, for an average monthly return of 1.74%. That's the largest for any president since the start of the 20th century.
However, the index has achieved a median CAGR of 8.9% under Democratic presidents and 10.2% under Republican presidents. That means both political parties can correctly claim the stock market performs better when they control the White House.
As for the stock market during Biden's tenure, it experienced whipsaw-like volatility. The benchmark S&P 500 generated impressive returns of 28.7% in 2021 and 26.29% in 2023. Sandwiched in between was a bear market, as the S&P 500, at its low point, lost 25% of its value in 2022.
In October, 1929, the bubble burst, and in less than a week, the market dropped by almost half of its recent record highs. Billions of dollars were lost, and thousands of investors were ruined. After the stock market crash, President Hoover sought to prevent panic from spreading throughout the economy.
Historically, the United States Stock Market Index reached an all time high of 5268 in March of 2024. United States Stock Market Index - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 25 of 2024.
But a big factor is COVID's toll in 2020.
American Economic Association researchers concluded that from 1945 to 2016, the average inflation rate was lower under Democratic presidents than under Republicans, but inflation often falls under Republicans and rises under Democrats.
Stock market returns in the United States exhibit a striking pattern: they are much higher under Democratic presidents than under Republican ones. From 1927 to 2015, the average excess market return under Democratic presidents is 10.7% per year, whereas under Repub- lican presidents, it is only −0.2% per year.
Biden did, and equity investors have since turned a handsome profit. Since Biden took office, the S&P 500 stock index has risen a healthy 40%, capped by a five-month rally that kicked off last October and is still underway. At the same point in Trump's presidential term, the S&P was up just 13%.
Why it matters: Voters often feel like stock market performance is a gauge of America's economic health, and of presidential policy, even if most economists would disagree. By the numbers: The S&P 500 climbed 25.9% between Biden's inauguration and Friday's market close, which is the last day of trading in 2023.
Who got rich during the Great Depression?
Not everyone, however, lost money during the worst economic downturn in American history. Business titans such as William Boeing and Walter Chrysler actually grew their fortunes during the Great Depression.
Few would dispute that the crash of 1929 was the worst in history. Not only did it produce the largest stock market decline; it also contributed to the Great Depression, an economic crisis that consumed virtually the entire decade of the 1930s.
Joseph Kennedy Sr., starting from a solidly middle class family in Boston, created a fortune that gave his children and grandchildren the freedom to pursue public service. Kennedy's business ventures included banking, stock trading, producing movies and selling liquor.
Oct. 19, 1987, also known as Black Monday, marked the largest one-day stock market decline in history.
If Monday may be the best day of the week to buy stocks, then Thursday or early Friday may be the best day to sell stock—before prices dip.
| Rank | Date | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1933-03-15 | +16.61 |
| 2 | 1929-10-30 | +12.53 |
| 3 | 1931-10-06 | +12.36 |
| 4 | 1932-09-21 | +11.81 |
- Lowering Costs of Families' Everyday Expenses.
- More People Are Working Than At Any Point in American History.
- Making More in America.
- Rescued the Economy and Changed the Course of the Pandemic.
- Rebuilding our Infrastructure.
- Historic Expansion of Benefits and Services for Toxic Exposed Veterans.
Based on this estimate, the richest 10 percent of U.S. households own roughly $42.7 trillion in stock market wealth, with the richest 1 percent owning $25 trillion. The bottom half of U.S. households own less than half a trillion dollars in stock market wealth.
Presidents get a lot of the blame and take a lot of the credit for stock market performance while in office. However, a president's ability to impact the economy and markets is generally indirect and marginal. Congress sets tax rates, passes spending bills, and writes laws regulating the economy.
Democrats believe that our economy should strengthen our country and work for every American, not just those at the top.
Does the president influence inflation?
Inflation is influenced by a wide range of complex factors, and a president's actions in office can certainly play a role in affecting it. Defined as a rise in prices, inflation is generally among the top concerns for consumers, as it makes everyday expenses such as gas, groceries, and utilities more expensive.
- Working to pass the Inflation Reduction Act to lower costs and cut the deficit.
- Ensuring that the institution best positioned to fight inflation—the Federal Reserve Board—is fully staffed.
- Taking action to lower housing costs.
Since World War II, the United States economy has performed significantly better on average under the administration of Democratic presidents than Republican presidents.
| Years Averaged (as of end of February 2024) | Stock Market Average Return per Year (Dividends Reinvested) | Average Return with Dividends Reinvested & Inflation Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Years | 10.222% | 7.495% |
| 20 Years | 9.74% | 6.96% |
| 10 Years | 12.681% | 9.555% |
| 5 Years | 14.543% | 9.879% |
The stock market has returned an average of 10% per year over the past 50 years. The past decade has been great for stocks. From 2012 through 2021, the average stock market return was 14.8% annually for the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX:^GSPC).
