Markets Right Now: Asian shares tumble as Trump gains
HONG KONG (AP) - The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):
12:00 p.m.
Investors are unloading shares as prospects for a Trump presidency appear to be rising. Dow futures have tumbled 3.5 percent or 643.00 points to 17,647.00 and S&P 500 futures are down 4.1 percent or 86.50 points at 2,049.00.
Shares are tumbling across Asia, with the Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo down 4.4 percent at 16,410.55. India's Sensex has sunk 5.4 percent to 26,164.36.
The dollar has plunged against the yen, dropping to 101.99 yen from 105.46 yen earlier in the session.
The Mexican peso, seen as a proxy for Trump's chances of winning, has fallen 10.7 percent to 20.32 pesos to the dollar.
10:30 a.m.
Share benchmarks are tumbling across Asia after Donald Trump gained the lead in electoral votes, with 137 to Hillary Clinton's 104 as of 9:30 p.m. EST (0230 GMT). Markets had opened solidly higher but quickly shed those gains, reflecting investor concern over what a Trump presidency might mean for the economy and trade.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index dropped 2.4 percent to 16,777.85 as the U.S. dollar sank against the Japanese yen, a trend that would be unfavorable to exporters. Hong Kong's Hang Seng plunged 1.7 percent to 22,514.70.
South Korea's Kospi index fell 1.4 percent to 1,976.49 and Australia's S&P ASX/200 lost 1.2 percent to 5,196.70.
Earlier, investors had appeared convinced that Hillary Clinton would win the presidency. Clinton is viewed as a more stable option who might maintain current policies.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was trading at 102.60 yen down from a high earlier in the session of 105.46. The euro was at $1.1142, up from its previous close of $1.1020.
8 p.m. EST (9:00 a.m. Hong Kong time)
Shares are mostly higher in Tokyo and other Asian markets as U.S. polls begin to close in the culmination of a highly charged presidential race.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 1.3 percent to 17,401.90 as the U.S. dollar surged against the Japanese yen, a trend that would help exporters.
South Korea's Kospi index added 0.4 percent to 2,012.41 and Australia's S&P ASX/200 jumped 0.8 percent to 5,298.80.
Analysts said most investors appeared convinced that Hillary Clinton will beat Donald Trump. Clinton is viewed as a more stable option who might maintain current policies.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was trading at 105.29 yen up from 104.96, and the euro was at $1.1000, just below its previous close of $1.1020.
4:00 p.m.
Stocks are ending broadly higher on Wall Street, building on big gains a day earlier, as investors keep a close eye on the U.S. presidential election.
Safe-play sectors like utilities and phone companies rose more than the rest of the market Tuesday.
PG&E rose 1.5 percent and Frontier Communications rose 1 percent.
Hertz plunged 22.5 percent after its earnings came up far short of what analysts were looking for.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 72 points, or 0.4 percent, to 18,332.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 8 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,139. The Nasdaq composite increased 27 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,193.
11:45 a.m.
Stocks are turning higher in midday trading on Wall Street after shaking off an early stumble.
Investors are keeping a close eye on the U.S. presidential election Tuesday, a day after the market had its biggest gain since March.
The gains are being led by safe-play sectors like utilities and phone companies. Duke Energy climbed 1 percent and AT&T and Verizon each rose 0.4 percent.
Hertz plunged 40 percent after its earnings came up far short of what analysts were looking for.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 74 points, or 0.4 percent, to 18,332.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 7 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,138. The Nasdaq composite increased 18 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,185.
9:35 a.m.
Stocks are moving modestly lower in early trading on Wall Street, a day after the market's biggest surge since March.
Several companies were sinking Tuesday after reporting disappointing results. Car rental company Hertz plunged 42 percent after its earnings came up far short of what analysts were looking for.
Homebuilder D.R. Horton's earnings also were shy of estimates, and drugstore chain CVS had lower revenue than analysts expected.
The market had soared a day earlier as Hillary Clinton's chances for winning the U.S. presidential election appeared to improve. Investors have been anxious over signs that the U.S. presidential race was tightening.
The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 37 points, or 0.2 percent, to 18,221.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,124. The Nasdaq composite declined 16 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,150.