Chances are rising that the blue wave of Democrats will take control over the House and Senate in November. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden now has 55% chance of winning the November election, according to online market and political event forecaster PredictIt. Chances are up from 43% a month ago.
His winning means the partial rollback of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Notably, President Trump’s tax law lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, starting 2018. Analysis by the Tax Foundation reveals that Biden’s plan is to hike the corporate tax rate to 28%. Biden is also proposing to levy a minimum tax rate of 15%, a potentially damaging outcome for some major companies that pay little in taxes. Biden's tax plan points at revenues needed to pay down the huge debt incurred to fight the recession.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has lowered the effective tax rate of S&P 500 companies by 8 percentage points to 19% and boosted S&P 500 earnings by 10%, according to Goldman’s Kostin. Now, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) estimates that a reversal would reduce 2021 S&P 500 earnings-per-share forecast by 12%. Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) estimates this change in taxes would boost the effective rate by 4% to 5%, and cut $9 off estimated S&P 500 earnings per share.
However, the blue wave may not appear positive for the broader market on the tax-cut front. Yet, some specific corners stand to gain even if such a scenario arises. Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few sectors that are likely to gain/lose amid a blue wave sweep.
Wining Sectors
Alternative Energy
Alternative energy has always been supported by Democratic leaders. If Democrats rule the Congress and the White House again, the stocks in the space will get a boost. Biden is forming a plan – a Clean Energy Revolution – to address the issue of climate emergency. He sees America becoming a 100% clean energy economy and having net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The move could further benefit stocks like First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR). (FSLR) or electric vehicle giant Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) TSLA.
Consumer Staples
The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, although some states have higher minimums. House Democrats in July passed the Raise the Wage Act, which would phase it up to $15 by 2025, but the plan was dissolved in the Senate as Republicans argued that higher minimum labor costs may lead to lower hiring of workers.
Whatever the case, Democrats’ demand shows that serious efforts to rev up minimum wage would be in the cards if there is a sweeping victory. This in turn may lead to greater buying power among consumers, which may end up benefiting consumer staples stocks like Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Inc. (WMT) and Costco Wholesale (COST).
Losing Sectors
Banks
Banks were a key beneficiary in the lower-tax environment. Big U.S. banks have enjoyed an average 13% increase to earnings per share from the lower rate, per Goldman Sachs. PNC Financial Services Group Inc (NYSE:PNC) (PNC), Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) & Co WFC and Regions Financial Corp RF are some of the stocks that could lose strength ahead.
Banks also enjoyed easing of regulatory stringencies in recent years. Moreover, the tax hike may also cause a volatile market and a decline in long-term interest rates due to safe-haven trades. This would further shrink net margins and lower banks’ profits.
Healthcare
Healthcare services was also one of the most-taxed industries before. According to MUFG Securities, tax reform probably has boosted managed care companies’ earnings by 30%. In the absence of this, stocks like Centene (NYSE:CNC) Corp (CNC) andMolina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) Inc. (MOH) could lose ahead.
Reuters noted that domestically geared healthcare companies that were also winners of the tax reform may now feel the pressure. Moreover, pharma stocks have long been accused of price-gouging by some democrat leaders.
Zacks’ Single Best Pick to Double
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each picked their favorite to gain +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This young company’s gigantic growth was hidden by low-volume trading, then cut short by the coronavirus. But its digital products stand out in a region where the internet economy has tripled since 2015 and looks to triple again by 2025.
Its stock price is already starting to resume its upward arc. The sky’s the limit! And the earlier you get in, the greater your potential gain.
Click Here, See It Free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF): Free Stock Analysis Report
Walmart Inc. (WMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (PNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
First Solar, Inc. (FSLR): Free Stock Analysis Report
Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST): Free Stock Analysis Report
Wells Fargo Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Molina Healthcare, Inc (MOH): Free Stock Analysis Report
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Centene Corporation (CNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research