US Election 2016: Asia Markets Tumble on Vote Results

Asian stocks have tumbled after early results from the US presidential polls suggested a victory for Donald Trump looked increasingly likely.

All major markets in the region are now lower, with money flowing into safe haven stocks, gold and currencies including the yen.

Meanwhile the Mexican Peso has hit an all-time low against the dollar.

As traders had expected a comfortable Hillary Clinton win, even a tight race is enough to spark volatility.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is down by 4.8% while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong is 2.8% lower and the Shanghai Composite has lost 1.3%.

Australia’s ASX 200 dropped by 1.8% while the Kospi in South Korea is 2.8% lower.

Earlier, US and European markets closed higher – but US stock futures fell by 4% as the results came in suggesting a sharp drop when trading resumes on Wall Street on Wednesday.

Analysis: Karishma Vaswani, Asia business correspondent

As it looks more and more likely that Donald Trump could win this presidential race, many investors in Asia are getting concerned – and the markets are reflecting that. A Trump win – and with it an unknown force in the White House – had been widely seen as negative for Asia’s economies.

On the Singapore trading floor where I’ve been all day, things started with cautious optimism that Mrs Clinton might have a significant lead, that has all changed.

But as results trickle in, that has been replaced by mutterings of “too close to call”, as traders begin looking more and more nervous.

Referring to another potential shock on the cards, one trader said to me “it has the feel of Brexit, all over again.”

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Trump vs Clinton: Who is better for Asia?

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Brexit echoes

The Mexican peso has seen some of the most notable fluctuations, falling more than 10% against the dollar.

The peso’s movements are seen by many as a good indicator of the election’s likely outcome, with an upward movement suggesting Hillary Clinton is ahead.

Mexico is expected to suffer if Mr Trump was elected because of his pledges to build a wall along the US border with the country and renegotiate their trade agreement.

Image captionThe US dollar is up more than 10% against the peso

Meanwhile the Japanese yen is viewed as a safe haven currency in situations of international volatility, so a strengthening yen suggests traders see a Hillary Clinton victory as less likely.

“2016 has been a year full of surprises. Don’t forget the markets priced in a Remain win in the Brexit referendum and got it wrong,” said Nigel Green, chief executive of deVere Group.

He warned a victory for Mr Trump could deliver a “double whammy negative impact” on global markets because they are expecting Mrs Clinton to win.

“Should she win, global financial markets will react favourably as she is seen to represent the status quo, whereas Trump is much more of an unknown and therefore will create uncertainty and the markets will react accordingly,” he said.

Courtesy : BBC