Trump’s first 100 days are the worst for the stock market since Nixon
President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office have been tumultuous for the stock market, marking the worst start to a president’s four-year term since the 1970s. The S&P 500 has experienced a 7.9% drop from Trump’s inauguration on January 20th to the close of April 25th, making it the second-worst first 100-day performance since President Richard Nixon’s second term in 1973.
Historically, the S&P 500 tends to rise by an average of 2.1% during the first 100 days of a president’s term. However, Trump’s presidency has been marked by uncertainty and volatility in the markets. The initial optimism following his election victory quickly dissipated as investors grew wary of his aggressive trade policies and lack of clarity on economic measures.
In April, the S&P 500 took a sharp nosedive, losing 10% in just two days and briefly entering bear market territory after Trump announced reciprocal tariffs. The market reaction reflected concerns about rising inflation and the potential for a recession as a result of these trade policies.
Despite some attempts to soothe investors’ concerns by walking back certain announcements, the market remains volatile and uncertain. Many experts, such as Jeffrey Hirsch of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, believe that the recent rally is just a bear market bounce and that there may be further downside ahead.
As of the latest data, the S&P 500 has erased all post-election gains from November, closing at 5,525.21 after reaching a high of 6,144.15 on February 19th. Trump still has two more trading days to mitigate the losses of his first 100 days, with the hope of rallying the market to avoid being among the worst starts in history.
In conclusion, Trump’s first 100 days in office have been challenging for the stock market, with uncertainty and volatility overshadowing the initial optimism. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the market can recover from its recent losses and regain stability under the new administration.
