US Midterm Elections 2026: What Results Could Mean for Wall Street

What Different US Midterm Outcomes Could Mean for Markets The US midterm election is less than a month away, and Wall Street is bracing for stocks to fall if Democrats regain control of both houses of Congress. Voters appear likely to hand the party a majority in at least the House of Representatives. The outlook for the Senate is far less certain, though Democratic candidates have a polling edge in key races. With control of even one chamber, the party would gain majorities on committees that can propose legislation and hold hearings — including on topics such as artificial intelligence that are critical to the outlook for the market. Investors can take some amount of comfort, as history points to gains for stocks no matter the election outcome. An analysis by Wells Fargo & Co. found that the S&P 500 Index has risen in the 12 months after every midterm election in the post-World War II era.