Stocks edge higher but set weekly decline on US election nerves; crude oil rises
Rewrites with U.S. market open, adds fresh analyst quote
By Chibuike Oguh
NEW YORK, Oct 25 (Reuters) -Global stocks were trading higher on Friday, although they were set for a weekly loss amid U.S. election jitters, while oil prices rose, buoyed by Middle East tensions.
Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are neck and neck in crucial swing states in theNov. 5 U.S. election, and investors are anxious about a contested result roiling world markets and unleashing fresh geopolitical uncertainty.
The benchmark S&P 500 was on track to finish the week slightly lower, although gains in technology and communication services stocks were pushing the index higher on the session.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 0.46% to 42,569.64, the S&P 500 .SPX rose 0.90% to 5,862.18 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC rose 1.48% to 18,687.80.
European shares index .STOXX was also up0.1% but on track to finish lower. Overnight in Asia,MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS closed higher by 0.1% but dropped nearly 2% for the week.
"Over time, interest rates, inflation and the economy are the leading factors that affect the stock market," said Tom Plumb, CEO and portfolio manager at Plumb Funds in Madison, Wisconsin.
"But in the short run, there's no question that this is a market being bounced around by political developments and expectations, and the general perception that Trump would be better for the markets than Harris."
Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 rose 1.45%, to $75.46 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up 1.47% at $71.22.
World FX rates YTD http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
Asian stock markets https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York;
Editing by Marguerita Choy
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