Edelman Smithfield, in partnership with NIRI, recently teamed up in New York City to host Battle for Power: How the Election Will Impact the Capital Markets.
During this timely event, seasoned political insiders from both the Trump and Harris administrations provided invaluable insights into the ever-changing political landscape and its implications for businesses and investors.
Key Recommendations for Investor Relations Professionals Navigating the Election Cycle:
- Carefully consider your earnings date. If your typical earnings date falls on election day or the day after, you may consider
changing the date by 1-2 days, particularly if you want to be heard and you plan to be active with the media. As always, make sure to
review peers' earnings dates to avoid conflicts - Be proactive in scripted remarks, particularly regarding macro uncertainty. While it is not necessary to specifically talk about the “election,” don’t shy away from the environment and how your business is navigating volatile times.
- Be prepared to address the election’s impact in Q&A. Revert back to general statements about the election, monitor the election’s impact on your business and focus on your core strategies. Create a general holding statement on the election and use this as a response to questions from analysts, investors, and media.
- Monitor peers’ statements, with a focus on terms like “election” and “macro” in their commentary and for Q&A, to inform your
approach ahead of earnings. - Review how your business and stock price performed during past cycles and evaluate how you responded or missed an opportunity to respond, in light of the market reaction.
- Be prepared to contextualize how your business/sector will be viewed or questioned versus others, as sectors will react
differently to the election impact.
To support Investor Relations professionals through the complexities of the election cycle, we've outlined key recommendations in the attached document here, offering strategic guidance for navigating these uncertain times.
- Special thanks to our panelists: Sean Neary, Managing Director, Co-Head US Financial Services, Edelman Smithfield
- Lindsay (Walters) Clifton, Managing Director, Edelman Global Advisory
- Jeremy S. Thompson, Senior Vice President, Edelman Global Advisory