← Search

Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 130 No. 2 2018

Company stock price reactions to the 2016 election shock: Trump, taxes, and trade

Alexander F. Wagner1,2; Richard Zeckhauser3; Alexandre Ziegler2

1 Swiss Finance Institute · 2 University of Zurich · 3 Harvard University

Abstract

Donald Trump's surprise election shifted expectations: corporate taxes would be lower and trade policies more restrictive. Relative stock prices responded appropriately. High-tax firms and those with large deferred tax liabilities (DTLs) gained; those with significant deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryforwards (NOL DTAs) lost. Domestically focused companies fared better than internationally oriented firms. A price contribution analysis shows that easily assessed consequences (DTLs, NOL DTAs, tax rates) were priced faster than more complex issues (net DTLs, foreign exposure). In sum, the analysis demonstrates that expectations about tax rates greatly impact firm values.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2018.06.013
Volume
130
Issue
2
Pages
428-451
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

Cite