A stock market rally gave way to selling Tuesday afternoon after a Web site published early exit poll data showing Democratic challenger John Kerry with a small lead in the key states of Florida and Ohio.
News of the exit poll data spread quickly on trading floors, sending the Dow from an 80-point gain to a 40-point loss before the blue chip index stabilized to close down 18.
The Drudge Report (drudgereport.com), which published the polling data, noted that early data showed Democratic candidate Al Gore leading in key states like Florida in 2000, but the specter of another disputed presidential election caused investors to turn tail.
The Nasdaq climbed 4 to 1984, but that was 18 points off its high for the day. The S&P 500 was unchanged at 1130, and the Dow lost 18 to 10,035. Volume rose to 1.67 billion shares on the NYSE, and 1.85 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers led 17-15 on the NYSE, and by a few shares on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 51% on the NYSE, and 65% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 255-14 on the NYSE, and 130-33 on the Nasdaq.
After the close, Pricelinefell after the company beat earnings estimates but came in light on revenues and issued lower than expected revenue guidance for the fourth quarter. Also after the close, Corningreaffirmed guidance.
During the day, Nextelgained 3% after settling spectrum issues with Verizon.
Macrovision, National SemiFindWhatand Commscopefell on warnings.
BMCfell 12% despite beating estimates and raising guidance. Hutchinson, Kronos, Rudolph Tech, Audibleand SimpleTechalso fell on their results.
Maxim, Avanexand Primusrose on their reports.