Do Presidential Elections Affect The Stock Market?

Even though Presidential Elections happen every four years, they often breed uncertainty or anxiety about the financial markets and other investment matters.  How should investors react to what may be a bitter campaign? Should investors fear either party winning the White House?  Is it best to sit on the sidelines until the dust settles?  On a short-term basis, election headlines have the power to move markets and create stock market volatility.  Here are the facts.