Last updated: September 1st, 2023
This page has the comparisons between Biden vs Obama across all the metrics we track. Since President Biden is still in office, Biden's performance is still current date and Obama's performance is for the same equivalent time period in Obama's presidency.
With respect to cumulative performance, Joe Biden has performed better on 2 out of the 5 metrics we track. President Biden's highest performance difference was on the indicator Job Growth performing 11.08% better than President Obama. President Biden's lowest performance difference was on NASDAQ Index performing -60.16% worse than President Obama.
We highly recommend you read this article as well prior: What's the best way to interpret the facts and data on Facts First?
How does Biden compare to Obama in the stock market? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized performance between Biden and Obama in the stock market. Cumulatively across the S&P 500, Biden is at 18.87% compared to Obama at 41.68% a difference of -22.81%. On the NASDAQ, Biden is at 6.32% compared to Obama at 66.48% a difference of -60.16%. Finally, on the DOW Jones, Biden is at 12.63% compared to Obama at 38.79% a difference of -26.16%.
| Index Cumulative Performance | Joe Biden | Barack Obama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ | 6.32% | 66.48% | Biden -60.16% |
| DOW | 12.63% | 38.79% | Biden -26.16% |
| S&P | 18.87% | 41.68% | Biden -22.81% |
| Index Annualized Performance | Joe Biden | Barack Obama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASDAQ | 2.37% | 21.51% | Biden -19.14% |
| DOW | 4.65% | 13.35% | Biden -8.70% |
| S&P | 6.83% | 14.24% | Biden -7.41% |
How does Biden compare to Obama with respect to GDP Growth? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized GDP growth. Cumulatively Biden is at 6.81% compared to Obama at 4.42% a difference of 2.40%
| GDP | Joe Biden | Barack Obama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative | 6.81% | 4.42% | Biden +2.40% |
| Annualized | 3.04% | 1.99% | Biden +1.06% |
How does Biden compare to Obama in non-farm payroll? We share the facts on cumulative and annualized jobs created. Cumulatively Biden is at 9.64% compared to Obama at -1.44% a difference of 11.08%
| Indicator Cumulative Gain/Loss | Joe Biden | Barack Obama | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative | 9.64% | -1.44% | Biden +11.08% |
| Annualized | 3.70% | -0.57% | Biden +4.27% |
We capture the data as soon as it’s available to us – stock market data after daily market close, jobs data once a month and GDP data once a quarter. After verifying the raw data, we then calculate updated cumulative and annualized performance data for the current president (the data for previous presidents have been calculated and verified in advance).
Some metrics are measured daily (like stock market performance), monthly (like jobs growth) and quarterly (like GDP growth). We start measurement of performance for a president from the first full time period after their inauguration. For stock market performance, it is the first stock market day in office. For jobs growth, it’s either first full calendar month in office (so if you are inaugurated in the middle of January, the first full month is February). This ensures a consistent starting point across all presidencies.
Also, read these articles in our Learning Center:
- What is the difference between cumulative and annualized performance?
- What’s the best way to interpret the facts and data on Facts First?
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