Market fears lessen as investors see 'clean sweep' victory for Joe Biden

Joe Biden's lead in the polls has eased fears and helped send US stocks higher, despite many polls in 2016 having failed to signal clearly the potential for a Donald Trump presidency. Picture: AP/Patrick Semansky

Global stock markets gained, helped by talk that new billions in stimulus will be pumped into the US economy, and on the view that an election crisis is less likely as presidential challenger Joe Biden builds a significant lead ahead in the polls.    

Investors have feared for some time that a close outcome in November's election would lead to months of political turmoil in the US, paralysing efforts to boost the economy amid the Covid-19 crisis.