The second debate wasn’t a win for Obama, but he certainly held his own against Mitt Romney in comparison to the first debate. For the week ending October 17, the President’s odds of being reelected increased 10 basis points to 64.1%. As Romney continues to strengthen in the polls, that number could easily come down in the weeks leading up to the election.
Hedgeye developed the HEI to understand the relationship between key market and economic data and the US Presidential Election. After rigorous back testing, Hedgeye has determined that there are a short list of real time market-based indicators, that move ahead of President Obama’s position in conventional polls or other measures of sentiment.
Based on our analysis, market prices will adjust in real-time ahead of economic conditions, which will ultimately shape voters’ perception of the Obama Presidency, the Republican candidates and influence the probability of an Obama reelection. The model assumes that the Presidential election would be held today against any Republican candidate. Our model is indifferent toward who the Republican candidate is as the sentiment for Obama and for any Republican opponent is imputed in the market prices that determine the HEI. The HEI is based on a scale of 0 – 200, with 100 equating to a 50% probability that President Obama would win or lose if the election were held today.
President Obama’s reelection chances reached a peak of 64.5% on September 24, according to the HEI. Hedgeye will release the HEI every Tuesday at 7am ET until election day November 6.
