Trump 2.0 At 200 Days: Palantir Surges, Tesla Slumps

Benzinga
2025.08.18 23:11
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President Trump marks 200 days in his second term, with the S&P 500 up 6.6%. Eight of 11 sectors have gained, notably Communication Services outperforming. Palantir Technologies leads with a 160% gain, while Tesla's struggles impact Consumer Discretionary stocks. Utilities, represented by NRG Energy, consistently perform well across both terms. Overall, tech companies dominate the top performers list, contrasting with the previous term's focus on Consumer Discretionary stocks.

President Donald Trump crossed a milestone last Friday as his second term reached the 200-day mark.

Though the ride has been anything but calm, the S&P 500 and most major sectors have managed to log gains in the volatile opening stretch of Trump 2.0.

Sector Performance

The S&P 500 has climbed 6.6% so far, trailing the 9% seen at the same point in Trump's first term, according to Bespoke Investment Group.

At the sector level, eight of 11 categories — Technology, Communication Services, Industrials, Utilities, Consumer Staples, Financials, Materials and Real Estate — are higher today.

Nine categories — Technology, Industrials, Utilities, Consumer Staples, Financials, Materials, Real Estate, Health Care and Consumer Discretionary — were higher during the opening months of Trump 1.0.

For most groups, the gap between eras has been modest — but there are clear standouts. Communication Services is faring far better now, while Consumer Discretionary and Health Care are underperforming noticeably.

Tesla, Inc. TSLA stumbles have weighed heavily on discretionary stocks, despite the optimism around CEO Elon Musk immediately after Trump's re-election.

Stock Performance

Palantir Technologies, Inc. PLTR leads all names in the S&P 500 with a stunning 160% gain in Trump's first 200 days.

Dollar General Corp. DG holds the number two position, but lags behind Palantir by more than 90 points.

Tech companies dominate the winners' list with seven of the top 20 best-performing stocks, more than any other sector.

Trump's first term saw Align Technology, Inc. ALGN from the health care sector as the early standout, alongside Arista Networks, Inc. ANET and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. VRTX. Back then, Consumer Discretionary stocks featured most prominently among the top gainers.

The most surprising thread across both presidencies? Utilities.

NRG Energy, Inc. NRG delivered strong returns in each period and was the only stock to make the top 20 in both of Trump's terms.

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