This week marks the 6th anniversary of the stock market’s bull run, with the S&P up 206%. Only 3 other times since WWII have equities had such a prolonged, sustained growth series. Simultaneously, last week saw yet another month with over 200,000 non-farm jobs created, making the current rate of jobs growth the best in 15 years. And, in a move that has taken some by surprise, the U.S. dollar is hitting highs against foreign currencies that have not been seen in over 12 years.  It is a rare economic trifecta, and demonstrates America is doing better than all other developed countries.  It seemed an appropriate time to re-interview Bob Deitrick, Managing Director of Polaris Financial Partners, and author of “Bulls, Bears and the Ballot Box” to obtain his take on the economy. Mr. Deitrick’s book reviewed America’s economic performance under each President since the creation of the Federal Reserve, and in direct opposition to conventional wisdom concluded presidents from the Democratic party were better economic stewards than Republican presidents. When published in 2012 Mr. Deitrick predicted that the economy would continue to do well under President Obama, and so far he’s been proven correct.  Source: Steve Morgan, Bob Deitrick Polaris Financial Partners (c) All Rights Reserved  AH: Since we discussed “Obama’s Miracle Market” in January, 2014 stocks have continued to rise. Has this bull run surprised you, and do you think it will continue?  Bob Deitrick: No it has not surprised us. Looking across history since Hoover, Democrats in the White House have generally presided over good stock market gains. Since Clinton was elected Democratic administrations have done remarkably well, with both Clinton and Obama outperforming the best Republican presidents, which were Eisenhower and Reagan.  Looking at the S&P 500, Clinton and Obama have performed about the same with about a 17% annual rate of return through the first 62 months of office. Which is 70% better than the approximate 10% return of the best Republican presidencies economically.  *Based on combining DJIA, S&P 500 and NASDAQ CompositeSource: Steve Morgan and Bob Deitrick, Polaris Financial Partners (c) All Rights Reserved
Since WWII most Americans have perceived Republicans as the party for best economic growth. But Obama's economic performance is unparalleled, and with Clinton's performances trounces Republican administrations