The document analyzes annual market statistics from 1980 to 2015, showing the returns and maximum declines of the S&P 500 under Democratic and Republican presidents. It finds that on average, the S&P 500 saw higher returns and smaller declines under Republican presidents compared to Democratic presidents over the 36-year period. While most people are surprised by this finding, it suggests staying invested during volatile times can be beneficial in the long run.

1. Staying the Course
in volatile times
Is there a lesson in
?

2. Recently First Trust issued an
analysis of annual market
statistics showing declines vs
returns based on the S&P 500
index for the 36 year period of
1980 - 2015

4. Too much information?
In simple terms, the black bars
show the return for the calendar
year and the orange bars show
the maximum decline in the S&P
500 index during the course of the
year – up is good, bad is down.

5. Who were the presidents
during this 36 year period?
3 Democrats over 16 years
3 Republicans over 20 years

6. What is revealed when
these results are averaged
by the party of the
president?

7. Here are the averages for the Democrats

8. Here are the averages for the Republicans

9. And here they are side by side

10. Surprised?most people are