Executives from several publicly traded companies have acknowledged
Biden’s victory and discussed what they expect to see from the
new administration during various conference calls over the past few weeks.
“I want to wrap up by saying congratulations to President-elect Biden,”
Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon said during the retailer’s earnings call on November 17.
“We look forward to working with the administration and both houses of Congress to move the country forward and solve issues on behalf of our associates, customers and other stakeholders,” he added.
McMillon’s acknowledgment that Biden will be the next president is particularly noteworthy since he is the current chairman of the Business Roundtable, an influential lobbying group that represents America’s top CEOs.
McMillon took over as chairman in January, succeeding
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon.
Dimon
said in a statement shortly after Biden was declared the winner by CNN and other major networks that it “is the responsibility of each of us to respect the democratic process, and ultimately, the outcome” adding that it is time to “come together to strengthen our exceptional country.”
Intel (INTC) CEO Bob Swan also congratulated Biden Monday. In an
open letter to the President-elect, Swan said that the new administration needs to invest even more in digital infrastructure and manufacturing.
“Your planned investment in American-made goods is critical to U.S. innovation and technology leadership,” Swan wrote.
CEOs hoping for more compromise
CNN Business combed through recent corporate conference call transcripts and found that many other top executives are expressing hope for a more stable political environment after nearly four years of disruptive tweetstorms.
“Biden, throughout his career, has shown a tendency toward pragmatism. He has never really ventured too far to the left, and he’s often gone out of his way to open doors to conversations with leadership in Congress on the right,” said Kevin Chavous, president of academics, policy and schools for online learning company
K12 (LRN), during a virtual investor day on November 18.
Other business leaders have been busy trying to figure out what Biden’s policies, particularly on issues such as trade and regulation, will mean for their bottom lines.
President Trump has initiated trade wars with several countries, most notably China. Biden is expected to be less bombastic and more diplomatic in his approach.
But business leaders still think Biden will be tough on China when it comes to issues such as intellectual property theft and open markets for American manufacturers.
“Commentary from the Biden camp doesn’t indicate any early softening on the stance with China,” said Jeremey Smeltser, chief financial officer of appliance and plumbing supply company
Spectrum Brands Holdings (SPB), on a November 13 earnings call.
Creating jobs through stimulus and infrastructure spending
Strengthening the Affordable Care Act may also be a priority for the 46th president.
“Public health programs are likely to see a meaningful increase in funding under a Biden administration,” said Bruce Caswell, CEO of
Maximus (MMS), a health services outsourcing firm,…
Read More News: Corporate America is ready for a Biden presidency
