US stock markets finished mixed on Election Day in November 2004 after an early advance reversed course following online reports that exit polls showed Democratic challenger John Kerry performing strongly against President George W. Bush.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed about 19 points to close near 10,036, having been up more than 70 points earlier in the session. The Nasdaq composite held onto a modest gain of roughly 5 points, while the S&P 500 ended essentially unchanged.
Analysts pointed to web-based exit poll reports as the likely cause of the afternoon slide. Alfred Goldman of AG Edwards noted that Wall Street generally views Republicans as more business-friendly and warned that a Kerry win or a prolonged legal dispute over results could prompt a market sell-off.
European indexes closed modestly higher despite thin trading, with investors across the continent focused on the US election outcome. London, Frankfurt, and Paris all posted gains below 1 percent.
Among individual stocks, Time Warner slipped ahead of earnings amid news that its AOL unit planned to cut more than 700 jobs. National Semiconductor fell after lowering its quarterly targets, while major computer makers including Dell and Apple moved higher. US Treasury bond yields dipped slightly as money shifted out of equities late in the day.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.