Gun manufacturers see significant stock surge following attempted assassination of President Trump

Money | July 15, 2024, 5:54 p.m.

Shares in gun manufacturers saw a significant increase following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Smith & Wesson Brands rose by 11%, while Sturm, Ruger & Co. increased by 5%. Both companies produce pistols, revolvers, hunting rifles, and semiautomatic rifles like the one used in the attack. The surge in stock prices may be due to traders reacting to the event, rather than indicating a lasting boost in sales. Analysts suggest that the long-term performance of these companies will depend on their financial fundamentals. While gun sales spiked during the pandemic, they have since declined as the economy reopened. The outcome for these manufacturers may vary, with Smith & Wesson's stock price doubling and Ruger's dropping by 10% since December 2022. The future trajectory of these shares will likely be determined by the companies' next quarterly reports. Additionally, shares in Trump Media & Technology Group also experienced a surge, following Trump's involvement as the largest shareholder in Truth Social's parent company.