Majority of respondents in a recent survey conducted by TradeKing Group, Inc. picked Donald Trump as the US presidential candidate with the most potential to favorably impact key industry stock sectors. The survey covered 550 independent investors and was conducted from April 26, 2016 to May 2, 2016.
Mr Trump got 39% of responses while Hillary Clinton received 34%, followed by John Kasich with 13%, Ted Cruz with 9% and Bernie Sanders with 4%. Donald Trump received the highest favorability for the energy, technology, utilities, finance and industrial goods sectors. Hillary Clinton ranked highest for the healthcare/biotech and international sectors.
- Market Outlook
Approximately half of all respondents (47%) described their market outlook as neither “bullish” nor “bearish,” but rather “neutral” for the next three months. The remaining responses were split nearly evenly: 28% “bullish” and 25% “bearish”.
- Longer-term Optimism
Whereas respondents were pessimistic about the next three months, optimism was dominant for the longer term. When asked where they expect the S&P 500 will be trading by year’s end, 45% said they believe it will be up at least 5 – 10%, 29% believe it will be flat and 26% believe it will be down at least 5-10%.
- Q3 Interest Rate Hike Seen as Most Likely
Most investors surveyed do not expect the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates before July 2016. Most (34%) see rates likely to increase in the third quarter of 2016, while 21% expect increases in the final quarter of this year and 31% believe there will be no interest rate increase in 2016 at all.
- Top Trade Triggers
Oil is at the top of the list of trade triggers at 57%, followed by Interest Rates at 43% and Quarterly Earnings at 35%.
- Sector with Most Near-Term Potential
Investors saw the energy sector as the industry with the most potential for opportunity in the next three months, followed by healthcare and technology.
For the full report from TradeKing, click here.