Moulton Statement on Reported Stock Market Returns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Moulton released the following statement in response to a report on stock market returns amongst Members of Congress.

“This week, a report was published that indicated higher than average stock returns among members of Congress when compared against the S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and I have received questions about my position on this list. My wife and I make individual stock purchases very rarely. I believe the 80% figure mentioned in this report is based on just one purchase of Amazon stock for $1,133.42 in August 2022. Amazon ultimately ended 2023 with about an 80% gain in the calendar year. But in the year and a half since our purchase, Amazon has gained essentially no value. 

Our stock transactions are made with information that is publicly available. We have lost money in the market, and we have gained money, just like any other investor. I am supportive of efforts to put increased guardrails on congressional stock trading. For example, I am one of seven co-sponsors of H. Res 156.

My financial disclosures can be found online here.