Dollar and oil drop after Trump's election rout

On Wednesday, the dollar and oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump's significant loss in the midterm elections, where his Republican party conceded control of Congress to the Democrats. The Democratic victory, a landslide, grants them the power to obstruct legislation, investigate Trump's administration, and prevent his judicial and senior government appointments.

Investors are uncertain about the impact a Democrat majority could have on financial markets. Russ Mould, an investment director at AJ Bell, noted that the biggest risk lies in the uncertainty of how Trump might behave following such a result. He warned that Trump might become "Mr Veto."

Technology companies also declined, as speculation emerged that Democrats might prioritize AI regulation. However, European stock markets experienced gains in early trading, with London, Frankfurt, and Paris rising by more than one percent. This was despite eurozone inflation reaching a three-year high of 4.0 percent, as reported by official data. European markets had a solid performance, and equities in Asia also performed well, although Tokyo's Nikkei 225 ended lower due to struggles in the tech sector.

In the United States, tens of millions of Americans participated in the critical midterm elections, which were seen as a referendum on the White House. Anger over rising petrol prices, the impact of tariffs, and the war in Iran fueled this turnout. Analyst Chris Weston from broker Pepperstone emphasized that Trump still holds considerable executive authority, making the possible consequences of the election outcome far from straightforward.

Bond yields remained stable, avoiding the recent volatility, while gold's status as a safe haven investment led to an increase in its value.