1/20/2021 9:41:12 PM GMT The pessimists are getting squeezed to their core, the optimists are gleefully complacent. This probably won't end well. A recent article in Barron's was a great reminder that the markets move higher or lower (mostly) without regard to who occupies the White House. It is hard to argue the reigning party plays no part in the direction of stocks but it can be argued that it merely enhances movements rather than dictates them. For any living and breathing human with an inherent bias, this is a tough pill to swallow but the data suggests it is the case. Further, the effects of economic and monetary policy influencing the economy and stock market generally take years to materialize. Often, the policies one leader enacts during his Presidental run are merely kicking in when he leaves office and the cycle repeats itself. In short, making buy or sell decisions based on elections and parties in power is a difficult game.