There’s a major reason the U.S. stock market saw a significant upswing following this month’s presidential election, and contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t solely due to the election’s outcome. Dan Clifton from Strategas pointed this out. In a conversation with CNBC’s Dominic Chu during a special Pro Talks session, which is open to all, Clifton shared his insights. “The market was factoring in a tightly contested election, a real 50-50 scenario, where investors were on the edge, uncertain about who would come out on top,” explained Clifton, who leads Washington policy research at the firm. “The rally wasn’t rooted in whether a specific party claimed victory but stemmed from fears of prolonged uncertainty. With the race being so close, the anxiety was about possibly waiting weeks without a clear winner.”
Fortunately, that anticipation was short-lived. “The picture became crystal clear, and it was apparent [President-elect Donald Trump] was going to take the win,” he added. (Pro subscribers can dive deeper with the full interview available.) During this open segment of the CNBC Pro Talks, Clifton delved into several key discussions: Why he regards this as the “most investable election of our lifetime,” how a second Trump administration could reshape the market, economy, and global political landscape, and the looming possibility of government gridlock—even with the Republicans holding narrow majorities in the House and Senate—and its implications for the stock market. For more in-depth insights and expert analysis alongside live global business coverage, consider subscribing to CNBC Pro.
