Drugmakers soar, gun companies sink: Stocks react to Trump

Donald Trump’s upset victory over Hillary Clinton caught many investors off guard. While it didn’t cause a broad market decline as many had feared, it did send some stocks sharply higher and others sharply lower. Here’s how some industries shook out as investors try to anticipate how Trump’s talk on the campaign trail might translate into policies that affect U.S. companies.

WINNERS: Drugmakers.

Pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefits managers rose sharply on the expectation that Trump and a Republican-controlled congress are less likely to crack down on rising drug prices. Pfizer jumped 7 percent, Celgene rose 11 percent and Express Scripts gained 7 percent.

Defense contractors and infrastructure companies.

Hopes that Trump will spend more on defense and follow through on campaign promises to boost spending on infrastructure benefited several companies. Raytheon jumped 8 percent. So did Caterpillar, a heavy machinery maker.

Private prison operators.

Clinton had said she wanted states to stop using privately operated prisons. That threat is now diminished. Corrections Corp. of American surged 43 percent, and Geo Group rose 21 percent.

LOSERS: Gun companies.

With his endorsement from the National Rifle Association, Trump is seen as far less likely to push for stricter gun control measures than Clinton would have. That means investors are no longer expecting a rush of gun sales due to nervous customers looking to stay ahead of government restrictions. Smith & Wesson dropped 15 percent and Sturm, Ruger & Co. plunged 14 percent.

Hospital chains and certain insurers.

Companies that benefited from President Barack Obama’s health care legislation, the Affordable Care Act, took heavy losses. Trump has said he would repeal the law. The nation’s largest hospital chain, HCA Inc., plunged 11 percent, and Community Health Systems dropped 22 percent.

Clean energy.

Trump has advocated for lighter regulation of oil and coal companies, which could hamper demand for clean energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power. SunPower Corp. sank 14 percent.