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Key Congressional Elections and Their Futures Market Impact

July 30, 2020 by Daniels Trading| Futures 101

The political calendar of 2020 has been jam-packed with events that have moved the futures market. Impeachment hearings, primary season, conventions, and debates have all been key happenings in a historic electoral cycle. In this blog article, we’ll assess the market dynamics ahead of Election Day 2020.

Events Reshaping the 2020 Election

At the beginning of the year, U.S. financial markets were humming along, with record-setting stock market valuations leading the way. The strong economy seemed likely to be a key focus for politicians running for office in 2020. Then the dynamic shifted dramatically. COVID-19, soaring unemployment, and social unrest upended normal life and brought a different set of social, political, and economic discussions to the forefront of public debate.

By July, many financial indicators had bounced back from their March lows, but a new level of uncertainty entered the markets as concerns grew about how swiftly the U.S. economy would recover when faced with new COVID-19 outbreaks in different areas of the country.

Going into the November election, every savvy futures market participant should keep these two factors in mind when assessing risks and predicting likely market behavior:

  • U.S. equities experienced an unprecedented challenge from COVID-19. Intermediate and long-term impacts may be immeasurable.
  • Historically, presidential incumbents are sometimes not re-elected to a second term. The last president to serve only one term was George H. W. Bush (1989–93).

It’s also important for active traders to be ready for as many contingencies as possible. And a potential Democratic victory in the presidential election is only one such contingency. Another one to consider is how Congress will look in 2021.

The Congressional Battleground

Futures market participants will be closely monitoring which party secures the Senate majority in November’s general election. Will the Senate shift from a Republican majority to a Democratic majority in 2020? It’s possible, if Democratic candidates are successful in enough of the following races:

State Republican Democrat RCP Projections
Colorado Gardner Hickenlooper Lean Democrat
Arizona McSally  Kelly Lean Democrat
Maine Collins Gideon/Sweet/Kidman  Toss-Up
North Carolina Tillis Cunningham  Toss-Up
Montana Daines Bullock  Toss-Up
Kansas Kobach/Marshall Bollier Lean Republican
Iowa Ernst Greenfield  Toss-Up
Georgia Loeffler/Collins Warnock/Lieberman Lean Republican

Note: As of this writing, party nominees in some races have not been determined. 

The Senate currently has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and two Independents (who caucus with the Democrats). To gain outright control of the Senate, Democrats would need to gain four seats. They would also have effective control if they gain only three seats and Biden wins the presidency, because the vice president casts the deciding vote in case of ties in the Senate.

A shift of power in the Senate would be significant because Democrats are likely to retain their control of the House of Representatives, where they currently fill 233 of the 435 seats. House incumbents typically enjoy many advantages, including better name recognition and greater funding than challengers. In recent years, incumbents have won reelection at a near-90 percent clip.

Want to Learn More About How Politics Impacts Futures Market Performance?

As a general rule, markets hate uncertainty. And the general election of 2020 is bringing plenty of uncertainty. The outcome of the 2020 election may significantly influence futures markets, depending on perceptions of how federal economic and monetary policies may shift. Retail and institutional investors may either increase or decrease their appetite for risk, which could have a positive or negative impact on markets.

To learn more about how politics is currently affecting the futures markets, check out Daniels Trading’s Insider Market Advisory. Featuring trade analysis, outlooks, and timely info, it’s an invaluable resource for the active futures trader.

IMA

Filed Under: Futures 101

About Daniels Trading

Daniels Trading is an independent futures brokerage firm located in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. Established by renowned commodity trader Andy Daniels in 1995, Daniels Trading is built on a culture of trust committed to the firm’s mission of Independence, Objectivity and Reliability.

Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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Risk Disclosure

THIS MATERIAL IS CONVEYED AS A SOLICITATION FOR ENTERING INTO A DERIVATIVES TRANSACTION.

THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A DANIELS TRADING BROKER WHO PROVIDES RESEARCH MARKET COMMENTARY AND TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AS PART OF HIS OR HER SOLICITATION FOR ACCOUNTS AND SOLICITATION FOR TRADES; HOWEVER, DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT MAINTAIN A RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AS DEFINED IN CFTC RULE 1.71. DANIELS TRADING, ITS PRINCIPALS, BROKERS AND EMPLOYEES MAY TRADE IN DERIVATIVES FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS. DUE TO VARIOUS FACTORS (SUCH AS RISK TOLERANCE, MARGIN REQUIREMENTS, TRADING OBJECTIVES, SHORT TERM VS. LONG TERM STRATEGIES, TECHNICAL VS. FUNDAMENTAL MARKET ANALYSIS, AND OTHER FACTORS) SUCH TRADING MAY RESULT IN THE INITIATION OR LIQUIDATION OF POSITIONS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR CONTRARY TO THE OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE. THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING FUTURES CONTRACTS OR COMMODITY OPTIONS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL, AND THEREFORE INVESTORS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED IN TAKING LEVERAGED POSITIONS AND MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS AND FOR THEIR RESULTS.

TRADE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROFIT/LOSS CALCULATIONS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMMISSIONS AND FEES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR BROKER FOR DETAILS BASED ON YOUR TRADING ARRANGEMENT AND COMMISSION SETUP.

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES. YOU SHOULD READ THE "RISK DISCLOSURE" WEBPAGE ACCESSED AT WWW.DANIELSTRADING.COM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HOMEPAGE. DANIELS TRADING IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH NOR DOES IT ENDORSE ANY TRADING SYSTEM, NEWSLETTER OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE. DANIELS TRADING DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR VERIFY ANY PERFORMANCE CLAIMS MADE BY SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICE.

GLOBAL ASSET ADVISORS, LLC (“GAA”) (DBA: DANIELS TRADING, TOP THIRD AG MARKETING AND FUTURES ONLINE) IS AN INTRODUCING BROKER TO GAIN CAPITAL GROUP, LLC (GCG) A FUTURES COMMISSION MERCHANT AND RETAIL FOREIGN EXCHANGE DEALER. GAA AND GCG ARE WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF STONEX GROUP INC. (NASDAQ:SNEX) THE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY.

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