Shares of GEO Group Inc, a private prison operator, surged 5.3% in pre-market trading on Wednesday. The stock movement comes amid expectations that Donald Trump's return to the presidency could usher in tougher immigration policies that would boost demand for detention facilities run by companies like GEO Group.
Investors are closely watching Trump's inauguration speech on Monday for clues on his administration's stance on issues like immigration and trade. Many "Trump trades" have gained steam in the markets since his election win in November, with stocks expected to benefit from his anticipated policies rallying.
GEO Group has seen its shares soar around 100% since the November election as investors anticipate an immigration crackdown that could increase the need for private detention centers under Trump's administration. While specific policies are still uncertain, the optimism around GEO Group underscores how markets are already positioning for major shifts in areas like immigration enforcement and border security.