Last updated: August 23rd, 2024
This page has the comparisons between Obama vs Trump across all the metrics we track. President Obama and President Trump data are no longer in office. Their data has been set to be as equivalent by days in office to make a fair comparison of their performance. This accounts for presidents that had one term vs two terms, or presidents that had a much shortened term.
With respect to cumulative performance, Barack Obama has performed better on 5 out of the 5 metrics we track. President Obama's highest performance difference was on the indicator NASDAQ Index performing 124.70% better than President Trump. President Obama's lowest performance difference was on Job Growth performing 10.66% better than President Trump.
We highly recommend you read this article as well prior: What's the best way to interpret the facts and data on Facts First?
How does Obama compare to Trump in the stock market? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized performance between Obama and Trump in the stock market. Cumulatively across the S&P 500, Obama is at 166.28% compared to Trump at 67.26% a difference of 99.02%. On the NASDAQ, Obama is at 262.26% compared to Trump at 137.56% a difference of 124.70%. Finally, on the DOW Jones, Obama is at 138.28% compared to Trump at 56.00% a difference of 82.28%.
| Index Cumulative Performance | Barack Obama | Donald Trump | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ | 262.26% | 137.56% | Obama +124.70% |
| DOW | 138.28% | 56.00% | Obama +82.28% |
| S&P | 166.28% | 67.26% | Obama +99.02% |
| Index Annualized Performance | Barack Obama | Donald Trump | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ | 17.44% | 24.13% | Obama -6.69% |
| DOW | 11.46% | 11.75% | Obama -0.29% |
| S&P | 13.01% | 13.71% | Obama -0.70% |
How does Obama compare to Trump with respect to GDP Growth? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized GDP growth. Cumulatively Obama is at 18.62% compared to Trump at 6.17% a difference of 12.45%
| GDP | Barack Obama | Donald Trump | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative | 18.62% | 6.17% | Obama +12.45% |
| Annualized | 2.17% | 1.53% | Obama +0.64% |
How does Obama compare to Trump in non-farm payroll? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized jobs created. Cumulatively Obama is at 8.63% compared to Trump at -2.03% a difference of 10.66%
| Indicator Cumulative Gain/Loss | Barack Obama | Donald Trump | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative | 8.63% | -2.03% | Obama +10.66% |
| Annualized | 1.05% | -0.52% | Obama +1.56% |
We capture the data as soon as it’s available to us – stock market data after daily market close, jobs data once a month and GDP data once a quarter. After verifying the raw data, we then calculate updated cumulative and annualized performance data for the current president (the data for previous presidents have been calculated and verified in advance).
Some metrics are measured daily (like stock market performance), monthly (like jobs growth) and quarterly (like GDP growth). We start measurement of performance for a president from the first full time period after their inauguration. For stock market performance, it is the first stock market day in office. For jobs growth, it’s either first full calendar month in office (so if you are inaugurated in the middle of January, the first full month is February). This ensures a consistent starting point across all presidencies.
Also, read these articles in our Learning Center:
- What is the difference between cumulative and annualized performance?
- What’s the best way to interpret the facts and data on Facts First?
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