As political posturing and rhetoric continues to escalate, most of us are wondering about the election’s potential impact on our investments.

Historically, the stock market generally does well in a presidential election year. The S&P has risen in 12 of the 15 presidential election years since 1952. However, the trend has been less clear in recent election years, with stocks showing significant losses in 2000 and 2008. While election year results have generally been good, the best returns have typically come in the year before the election year—on average more than double the annual return rates seen in each of the other three years.

Much has also been made of how each candidate—and his respective party’s philosophies—will impact Wall Street. History shows us that the market has tended to respond more favorably to a Republican victory in past elections. In short, although there is some logic to the presidential cycle, you shouldn’t be trying to time the stock market—in an election year or any other time. Read more historic election year statistics.

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