In a fiery presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, the stock market witnessed significant shifts as certain industries and companies were directly impacted by the candidates' rhetoric and policies. Key players such as Trump Media & Technology, private prison stocks, and cryptocurrency saw their values plunge, while renewable energy companies surged.

Trump Media & Technology (DJT), the company operating Truth Social, experienced a sharp decline of 11% following the post-debate commentary. Trump's defensive stance coupled with Harris appearing to provoke her rival led to investors growing cautious. The stock had already seen a decline of nearly 60% since mid-July when it became evident that President Biden would likely secure the Democratic nomination.

Private prison stocks, known for benefiting from Trump's tough stance on immigration and his support for increased border control, also suffered major losses. GEO Group (GEO), a company invested in private prisons, saw a decrease of more than 6%, while CoreCivic (CXW), which manages private prisons and detention centers, dipped nearly 4%.

The cryptocurrency market was not exempt from the debate's impact. Bitcoin (BTC-US) experienced a steep downward turn during and after the combative event. Previously, Trump had displayed a pro-crypto stance, even expressing the need for a strategic national bitcoin stockpile.

On the other hand, banks, particularly regional ones, stood to benefit in the event of Trump's election in November. This expectation was due to the anticipation of less stringent regulations on bank capital and liquidity. Financial firms specializing in mergers and acquisitions, such as Lazard (LAZ), Moelis (MC), and Evercore (EVR), saw a decline in their stock prices following the debate.

As the market reacted to the candidates' performances, stocks perceived to benefit from a potential Harris presidency rallied on Wednesday. Notably, companies involved in the clean energy sector reaped the rewards. First Solar (FSLR) experienced a surge of 11%, while Enphase Energy (ENPH) and SunRun (RUN) gained 5% and over 7% respectively. These companies align with the current Democratic administration's major green legislation, namely the Inflation Reduction Act, that Harris played a pivotal role in passing.

The outcome of the presidential debate had immediate consequences for various industries, shining a light on which sectors could potentially thrive or struggle under each candidate's leadership. Investors will now closely monitor further developments and adjust their strategies accordingly in this ever-changing political and economic landscape.