US stocks and the dollar fell while bond prices rose yesterday as reports US President Donald Trump raised questions about his ability to deliver on tax and regulatory reform.
All three major US stock indexes were down more than one per cent, with S&P 500 on track for its worst day since September 13. The dollar index has erased its post-election gains.
Disappointing US economic data also weighed on markets.
Reports that Trump asked then-FBI Director James Comey to end a probe into his former national security adviser have raised questions over whether obstruction of justice charges could be laid against the president.
The news comes on the heels of a tumultuous week at the White House when Mr Trump unexpectedly fired Mr Comey. He also reportedly disclosed classified information to Russia’s foreign minister about a planned Islamic State operation.
“I think the biggest issue right now is what does this mean for the plan that we thought we were on,” said Jeremy Bryan, portfolio manager at Gradient Investments.
“Is it delayed or is it dead?”
The dollar index, which had scaled a 14-year peak of 103.82 on January 3, fell 0.4 per cent to its lowest level since November 9, surrendering all of its “Trump bump” gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 278.59 points, or 1.33 per cent, to 20,701.16, the S&P 500 had lost 31.89 points, or 1.33 per cent, to 2,368.78 and the Nasdaq Composite had dropped 114.93 points, or 1.86 per cent, to 6,054.94.
“The equity markets have ignored the noise out of Washington. However, we think the situation is likely to change as this crisis leads to an interruption of the pro-growth White House agenda, deflating the Hope Rally,” Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial, wrote.
Bank stocks, which outperformed in the post-election rally, were the worst hit. The S&P 500 financial sector tumbled more than two per cent, led by losses in Bank of America and JPMorgan.
At nearly 18 times forward earnings, the S&P 500 trades at a significant premium to its long-term average valuations of 15 times, according to Thomson Reuters data.
MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 0.9 per cent.
Upbeat growth data and optimism over pro-growth policies under Mr Trump helped boost United States stocks since the November 8 US election.
Recent US data, which includes softer-than-expected retail sales and inflation, has raised concern about the strength of consumer sentiment.
US Treasury yields fell to three-week lows, with benchmark 10-year notes up 20/32 in price to yield 2.26 per cent, the lowest level since April 25 and down from 2.33 per cent late on Tuesday.
In commodity markets, safe-haven gold hit a two-week high, while oil prices were higher. Brent crude was up 50 cents at $52.15 per barrel. US light crude rose 39 cents to $49.05.
Spot gold rose for a fifth day and was up 1.8 per cent at $1,258.38 an ounce.