Prospect of Clinton victory sparks rise in gunmaker shares

Gun stocks surged on Monday, one day before the US presidential election, as Hillary Clinton’s odds of winning the White House improved.

Smith & Wesson, one the largest US handgun makers, rose 2.2 percent amid a broad market rise, to $27.85, the highest it’s been since Sept. 19.

Sturm Ruger, another major gunmaker, had risen as much as 3 percent, to $65.95, before ending the day slightly lower, at $63.85

Donald Trump has claimed that Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment — a position she’s never taken.

Clinton has said she’s in favor of increasing background checks, preventing people from circumventing background checks through gun shows and online purchases.

Clinton’s odds of winning the White House increased to more than 70 percent, according to, just one day after the FBI reiterated that it would not indict the Democrat for the long-running e-mail scandal.

In an unrelated filing, Smith & Wesson announced that it would change its name to American Outdoor Brands Group.

The change is subject to shareholder approval on Dec. 13.