NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):
3:40 a.m.
European stock markets have opened strongly after the U.S. midterm results came in largely as anticipated with the Democrats taking back control of the House of Representatives and the Republicans holding onto the Senate.
Among the main indexes, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 1 percent at 7,113 while Germany's DAX also spiked 1 percent to 11,598. The CAC 40 in France was 1.1 percent at 5,131.
Though the election results raise the prospect of political gridlock in Washington, Mike Read, founder of social trading platform Pelican, said the "cloud of uncertainty from the last few weeks has lifted and we're back to seeing trading as usual."
As a result, he thinks many traders who have stayed on the sidelines in recent weeks will return to the markets.
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1:45 a.m.
Asian shares have wavered after a strong start as Democrats appear on track to take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The outcome of the U.S. midterm election could put a check on President Donald Trump and his aggressive trade policies, although a great deal of uncertainty remains.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell back in late trading, giving up 0.3 percent, and the Shanghai Composite index lost 0.5 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged 0.1 percent lower and the Kospi in South Korea declined 0.5 percent.
The U.S. dollar edged lower and oil prices also fell, with benchmark U.S. crude oil down 40 cents at $61.81 per barrel.
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1:00 a.m.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 have held steady with the Democrats looking likely to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
By midday in Asian trading on Wednesday the future contracts had showed none of the drastic swings seen with the 2016 presidential election. The mixed outcome for the midterm election, with the Republican Party still in control of the Senate, suggested a limited scope for a change of course on President Donald Trump's polices on trade and other issues.
The future contract for the Dow rose 0.3 percent to 25,707.00 and that for the S&P 500 added 0.2 percent to 2,764.80.
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12:00 a.m.
Asian shares are trading higher as results come in for the U.S. midterm elections.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.5 percent to 22,265.05. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.3 percent higher to 5,894.30. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.4 percent at 2,098.35. Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 1.5 percent to 26,505.06, while the Shanghai Composite added 0.5 percent to 2,672.89.
The election results were being closely watched in Asia, as they could affect U.S. trade, economic and security policies.
The Democrats were gaining significant ground in the battle for House control, while Republicans held their Senate majority, according to early results.
The dollar rose to 113.21 yen from 113.18 yen, while the euro climbed to $1.1464 from $1.1427.
