Asian markets soften as US heads to polls

Retreated from larger gains

Asian markets retreated from early gains overnight, with investors becoming more cautious as the US presidential race enters its final hours.

Even though US stocks broke a nine-day losing streak,, with the S&P 500 posting a 2.2% rise to 2,131.52 points yesterday as candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump gave their closing campaign speeches, Asian equities softened with many ending trading flat. Japan's TOPIX began the day 0.5% but retreated to post a gain of 0.05% on the day, while the Nikkei 225 was down 0.03%. The Hang Seng index was up just 0.3% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.1% lower. M&G's Doyle: Trump victory could cause 2008-like market reaction The dollar index, a measure of the US currency against a b...