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US election 2020: Biden vs Trump

How will the US election impact the markets? Discover what effect a Trump or Biden win could have and the instruments to watch.

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US election

How will the US election impact the markets?

What if … Trump wins

  • How will an escalation of trade wars affect US and China indices and shares, and the US dollar?

  • How would Trump’s lack of attention on climate and renewables affect the industry?

  • Could a more relaxed approach to regulation on the tech industry be a boon for the sector?

What if … Biden wins

When is the US election?

The US presidential election takes place on Tuesday 3 November, 2020, and while the first exit polls could come in at around 4am (UK time) on 4 November, there may be a longer wait this time due a predicted increase in postal voting. To win, either Trump or Biden must win a majority of the electoral votes (270 of 538), with the victor beginning a four-year term of office on 20 January 2021.

29Sep

First debate

07Oct

Vice-presidential debate

15Oct

Second debate

22Oct

Final debate

03Nov

Election day

Markets to watch

How will the US election impact your trading? See how key instruments are likely to be affected and how our clients are positioned.

EUR/USD
1.1864
8.34%
Client sentiment
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Short
Buy
Sell
US SPX 500 - Cash
4539.0
36.60%
Client sentiment
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Short
Buy
Sell
US NDAQ 100 - Cash
15650.42
43.63%
Client sentiment
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Short
Buy
Sell
Gold - Cash
1810.52
7.00%
Client sentiment
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Long
Buy
Sell
CMC USD Index
962.40
-8.56%
Client sentiment
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Long
Buy
Sell

How to start trading

1

Apply

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2

Fund

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3

Trade

Once you’ve funded your new account, you’re ready to start trading.

Trustpilot

Our analysts' view on the US election

How will the US election affect Europe?

In Europe we are not directly affected by the US election, but it’s also very important for Europe because of the deep economic ties between the two continents.

Konstantin Oldenburger

How would a Biden election win affect tech and renewables?

The rise that we’ve seen in US stock markets since the March lows owes as much to the outperformance of the US tech sector, as it does to the US economy in general.

Michael Hewson

What does the US election mean for Tencent and CNH/USD?

Tencent and CNH/USD will feel the impact of the US election, whatever the result. Read more for detailed analysis.

CMC Markets

What does the US election mean for China and US relations?

A Biden win could see a thawing in the current tension between the two nations, as a more conventional approach to diplomacy is adopted.

Tina Teng

Why trade the US election with CMC?

Over 9,000 markets

Trade CFDs on indices, forex, commodities, cryptos, shares and more from our award-winning platform*.


Trade out of hours

Favourites like the US 30 and UK 100 trade 24/5, so you don’t have to stop when the markets do.

Award-winning client service*

We’re happy to help with all your trading-related queries, whenever you need us during trading hours.

Exclusive products

Get broader access to the market from a single position with our exclusive share baskets.

In-house analysts

Our award-winning analysts* provide market insights and breaking news alerts.

'Cash' markets

Tighter spreads, no rollovers and charting back as far as 1992 to help your analysis.

FAQs

New to trading?

Is it free to open an account?

There's no cost when opening a live spread betting or CFD trading account. You can also view prices and use tools such as charts, Reuters news or Morningstar quantitative equity reports, free of charge. However, you will need to deposit funds in your account to place a trade.

What are the costs of spread betting and CFD trading?

There are a number of costs to consider when spread betting, including spread costs, holding costs (for trades held overnight which is essentially a fee for the funds you borrow to cover the leveraged portion of the trade), rollover costs on expiring forward trades, and guaranteed stop-loss order charges (if you use this risk-management tool).

See our costs

Is CMC Markets UK plc regulated by the FCA?

Yes, CMC Markets UK plc (registration number 173730) and CMC Spreadbet plc (registration number 170627) are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Retail client money is held in segregated client bank accounts and money held on behalf of clients is distributed across a range of major banks, which are regularly assessed against our risk criteria.

 

Is CMC Markets covered by the FSCS?

Yes, your eligible deposits with CMC Markets are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensations Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. If CMC Markets ever went into liquidation, retail clients would have their share of segregated money returned, minus the administrators' costs in handling and distributing these funds. Any shortfall of funds up to £85,000 may be compensated under the FSCS.

How does CMC Markets protect my money?

As a retail client, your money is always held separately from CMC Markets' own funds, so that under property, trust and insolvency law, your money is protected. Therefore your money is unavailable to general creditors of the firm, if the firm fails.

How does CMC Markets make money?

Our income primarily comes from our spreads, while other fees, such as overnight holding costs, make a minor contribution to overall revenue.

We never aim to profit from our clients’ losses. Our aim is to build long-term relationships by providing the best possible trading experience through our technology and customer service.

*Awarded No1 Web-Based Platform, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2020; Best Phone Customer Service & Best Email Customer Service, based on highest user satisfaction among spread betters, CFD and FX traders, Investment Trends 2020 UK Leverage Trading Report; Best Platform Features, Best Mobile/Tablet App, Rated Highest for Charting, Investment Trends 2019 UK Leverage Trading Report; Best In-House Analysts, Professional Trader Awards 2019.​