Sandy forces Wall Street to close

Traders in London were left in limbo yesterday after Hurricane Sandy forced Wall Street to shut down for the first time since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Investors struggled to find direction after it was confirmed that America’s two biggest trading platforms – the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market – were not going to open.

The markets – home to some of the world’s biggest companies including Apple, Microsoft and Starbucks – also look set to be closed today, while commentators fear the suspension could run into tomorrow.

Michael Hewson, senior UK market analyst at CMC Markets, said the biggest impact of the shutdown in the US was likely to be a drop in trading volumes – an indicator of a lack of certainty among investors. He added that amid concerns about the wider global economy, the US shutdown was “yet another reason for traders to remain on the back foot”.

Insurers came under pressure with the likes of Hiscox, Amlin and Catlin – major underwriters for the whole industry – falling on the FTSE 250 Index amid fears the approaching superstorm would cause billions of US dollars of damage.

The FTSE 100 Index was more than 0.5 per cent lower.

The New York Stock Exchange initially said it would only close the market floor but continue using electronic trading – but this was later changed to cover all forms of trading.

Lloyds of London insurers have had a benign year for natural catastrophes, in sharp contrast to the previous year when the specialist market was pushed to a loss by a series of disasters.

A statement from NYSE Euronext, which operates the New York Stock Exchange, said: “We support the consensus of the markets and the regulatory community that the dangerous conditions developing as a result of Hurricane Sandy will make it extremely difficult to ensure the safety of our people and communities, and safety must be our first priority.

“We will work with the industry to determine the next steps in restoring trading as soon as the situation permits.”

It is the first time the markets have shut since the four-day stretch in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, while it is thought to be the first time in 27 years that they have closed for a full day due to adverse weather.