Gun makers surprise losers after Trump win—and other early market reactions
by The Associated Press
Trump's shock win did not cause the broad market decline some expected, but it did spur some industries up sharply and others spiraling downward
Hillary Clinton has been a vocal supporter of greater gun control, a factor investors expected would create a flurry of gun buying if she won the election. PHOTO: Lorie Shaull, via Flickr
WASHINGTON—Donald Trump’s upset victory over Hillary Clinton caught many investors off guard. While it didn’t cause a broad market decline as many had feared, it did send some stocks sharply higher and others sharply lower. Here’s how some industries shook out as investors try to anticipate how Trump’s talk on the campaign trail might translate into policies that affect U.S. companies. All share prices are as of market close Nov. 9.
The winners:
Drugmakers. Pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefits managers rose sharply on the expectation that Trump and a Republican-controlled congress are less likely to crack down on rising drug prices. Pfizer jumped 7 per cent, Celgene rose 11 per cent and Express Scripts gained 7 per cent.
Defence contractors and infrastructure companies. Hopes that Trump will spend more on defence and follow through on campaign promises to boost spending on infrastructure benefited several companies. Raytheon jumped 8 per cent. So did Caterpillar, a heavy machinery maker.
Private prison operators. Clinton had said she wanted states to stop using privately operated prisons. That threat is now diminished. Corrections Corp. of American surged 43 per cent, and Geo Group rose 21 per cent.
The losers:
Gun companies. With his endorsement from the National Rifle Association, Trump is seen as far less likely to push for stricter gun control measures than Clinton would have been. That means investors are no longer expecting a rush of gun sales due to nervous customers looking to stay ahead of government restrictions. Smith & Wesson dropped 15 per cent and Sturm, Ruger & Co. plunged 14 per cent.
Hospital chains and certain insurers. Companies that benefited from President Obama’s health care legislation, the Affordable Care Act, took heavy losses. Trump has said he would repeal the law. The nation’s largest hospital chain, HCA Inc., plunged 11 per cent, and Community Health Systems dropped 22 per cent.
Clean energy. Trump has advocated for lighter regulation of oil and coal companies, which could hamper demand for clean energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power. SunPower Corp. sank 14 per cent. A closer look at how the Canadian cleantech industry could feel the pressure of a Trump win.
—Associated Press writers Linda Johnson, Tom Murphy and Seth Sutel contributed to this report
