Trump 2.0 At 200 Days: Palantir Surges, Tesla Slumps

Erica Kollmann

August 18, 2025

President Donald Trump crossed a milestone last Friday as his second term reached the 200-day mark.

Though the ride has been anything but calm, the S&P 500 and most major sectors have managed to log gains in the volatile opening stretch of Trump 2.0.

Sector Performance

The S&P 500 has climbed 6.6% so far, trailing the 9% seen at the same point in Trump's first term, according to Bespoke Investment Group.

At the sector level, eight of 11 categories -- Technology, Communication Services, Industrials, Utilities, Consumer Staples, Financials, Materials and Real Estate -- are higher today.

Nine categories -- Technology, Industrials, Utilities, Consumer Staples, Financials, Materials, Real Estate, Health Care and Consumer Discretionary -- were higher during the opening months of Trump 1.0.

Read Next: Michael Burry Joins Warren Buffett Going Long On UnitedHealth Stock

For most groups, the gap between eras has been modest -- but there are clear standouts. Communication Services is faring far better now, while Consumer Discretionary and Health Care are underperforming noticeably.

Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) stumbles have weighed heavily on discretionary stocks, despite the optimism around CEO Elon Musk immediately after Trump's re-election.

Stock Performance

Palantir Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) leads all names in the S&P 500 with a stunning 160% gain in Trump's first 200 days.

Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG) holds the number two position, but lags behind Palantir by more than 90 points.

Tech companies dominate the winners' list with seven of the top 20 best-performing stocks, more than any other sector.

Trump's first term saw Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALGN) from the health care sector as the early standout, alongside Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX). Back then, Consumer Discretionary stocks featured most prominently among the top gainers.

The most surprising thread across both presidencies? Utilities.

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) delivered strong returns in each period and was the only stock to make the top 20 in both of Trump's terms.

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Photo: Shutterstock

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