US stocks down on polling day

The prospect of a tight race for the presidency – and a repeat of the 2000 court battle – prompted a late selloff on Wall Street tonight, with stocks finishing the session mixed despite a fresh drop in oil prices.

News of exit polls showing a tight race were a “sell” signal to investors worried that the election would be deadlocked. Most analysts agreed that a clear winner by tomorrow morning, no matter which candidate, would boost the market.