10/29/2026
Election Day is November 3, and the headlines are only getting louder.
If you’re wondering whether to make changes to your portfolio before the midterms, here’s what history shows:
📊 Midterm years have tended to be more volatile, especially in the weeks leading up to the vote.
📈 Going back to 1950, the S&P 500 has been higher 12 months after every midterm election, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
🏛️ Research from Capital Group suggests that which party controls Congress has had little consistent effect on long-term market results.
History isn’t a guarantee; 2022 and 2018 were both down years. But it’s a good reminder that reacting to political headlines is rarely a plan.
For retirees and pre-retirees, two things matter more than who wins: whether your income plan can handle a volatile stretch without forcing you to sell at the wrong time, and the policy areas Congress actually controls, including taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.
Our latest article covers what the data shows, what to watch, and a six-question checklist to review before and after Election Day.
Do midterm elections move markets? See what history shows, the policy areas retirees should watch, and a checklist to keep your plan on track
