Investors react to shooting at Trump election rally

(Reuters) – Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday in what authorities said they were treating as an assassination attempt. Trump’s campaign said he was fine after the incident.

Here are investors’ reactions to the shooting.

NICK TWIDALE, CHIEF MARKET ANALYST, ATFX GLOBAL, SYDNEY

“I think it probably increases his chances, and we will probably see some haven flows in the morning.”

RONG REN GOH, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EASTSPRING INVESTMENTS, SINGAPORE

“The shooting is likely to bolster Trump’s support, and only further augments the positive momentum he has been enjoying following the Presidential debates two weeks ago.

“The market reaction function to a Trump presidency has been characterized by a stronger U.S. dollar and a steepening of the U.S. Treasuries curve, so we might observe some of that this coming week if his election odds are assessed to have further improved following this incident.”

NICK FERRES, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, VANTAGE POINT ASSET MANAGEMENT, SINGAPORE

“From memory, Reagan went up 22 points in the polls after his assassination attempt. The election is likely to be a landslide. This probably reduces uncertainty.

“Trump has always been more ‘pro-market’ – the key issue looking forward is whether fiscal policy remains irresponsibly loose and the implication that might have for (renewed) inflation and the future path of interest rates.”

HEMANT MISHR, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, S CUBE CAPITAL, SINGAPORE

“I do think this will have a shock reaction on a market that has been on tenterhooks on the U.S. election.

“I see the odds of the Trump trade getting reinforced over the next few months till November, unless the Democrats can come up with a really credible alternative.

“It just significantly improves the odds in his favour and will lead to a steepening of the U.S. curve over the next few months. (I) would bet on high growth, high inflation trades – financials and energy to do well, and negative for Asian currencies.”