Stocks For An Obama -- Or Romney -- Presidency

In his latest article for Nasdaq.com, Validea CEO John Reese says that investors shouldn’t let speculation about who is going to win the Presidential election affect their investment decisions.

“So many factors go into the economy and market that extend far beyond the reach of the Commander-in-Chief,” writes Reese. “For example, the stock market thrived during President Clinton’s tenure before tanking during President Bush’s first year-and-a-half. But had Clinton been able to serve a third term, would the tech bubble’s bursting not have continued to drag markets downward in 2001 and 2002? I find it hard to believe it wouldn’t have. Similarly, had John McCain won the 2008 election, would the European debt crisis not have roiled markets in 2011? Doubtful.”

Reese says it’s more important to look at the fundamentals and financials of individual companies. “Good companies have thrived in a myriad of climates throughout history, and I think well-financed, efficient firms with cheap shares will continue to do well over the long haul — regardless of whether Obama or Romney walks away victorious next month,” he says. He offers five stocks that his Guru Strategies — each of which is based on the approach of a different investing great — are high on right now. Among them: Raven Industries, which gets strong interest from his Warren Buffett-inspired strategy.