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World Markets Tumble on French-Greek Elections

Investors fear fresh crisis in eurozone

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2012 3:31 AM CDT | Updated May 7, 2012 5:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Markets worldwide have been seriously rattled by the rejection of pro-austerity governments by voters in France and Greece. Asian markets plunged, the euro dropped to a 3-month low against the dollar in early trading, and oil slipped to $97 a barrel. European shares also tumbled and yields rose on the sovereign bonds issued by Greece, France, Italy, and Spain, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Analysts expect further drops ahead, as investors already nervous about disappointing jobs figures in the US react to increased doubt about the eurozone's ability to solve its debt crisis. "There are still many hurdles in Europe,” an investment manager at Bahl & Gaynor tells Bloomberg. “There are no easy answers and the electorate is rejecting austerity. People will take a renewed focus on Europe and that focus is not positive.”

A businessman passes before a share prices board in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 index plunged 2.7% today.
A businessman passes before a share prices board in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 index plunged 2.7% today.   (Getty Images)
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The political uncertainty is increasing and over time the eurozone political landscape looks less predictable. - Gerhard Schwarz, head of equity strategy
at Baader Bank

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My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
13%
5%
8%
23%
39%
12%
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Non-deep-thinker
May 7, 2012 6:30 AM CDT
The anti-austerity movement is a signal that they're not taking the debt crisis seriously.  It's helpful to recall that austerity isn't just some political football the Left whines about and hand-wrings and thumb-twiddles over, it's the price demanded by the countries who DO have money, before they will send their hard-earned money to bail out the others. Once the others demonstrate they're not serious, why would those with the money continue to do that? Sentiment was already running high before in the few countries that have money left -- "Stop sending them our money" -- once they are informed that austerity is no longer in vogue in the profligate states, guess what happens next?
cheongyei
May 7, 2012 6:02 AM CDT
Trying to mix socialism with capitalism is like mixing oil and water.
myflap.blow
May 7, 2012 5:12 AM CDT
whatever, oils down!
 

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