Global stocks tumble as AI panic grips markets after Democrats' midterm success

Global markets are reeling as investors pull back from AI-related stocks following the Democratic Party's midterm election success. Major indices across Asia and the US saw significant losses as concerns over policy shifts and AI valuation bubbles intensified.
Why it matters
This event marks a potential structural shift in investor confidence regarding the long-term profitability of AI infrastructure and data center expansion.
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
Fears that the Democratic Party’s blue wave in this week’s midterm elections will sink the AI investment boom are roiling markets, following heavy losses on Wall Street last night.
Asia-Pacific markets are a sea of red (unlike the US election map on Tuesday night!), as investors ditch tech stocks after more than $3.2tn was wiped off the US stock market yesterday.
Today, Japan’s Nikkei stock index has slumped by almost 6% – its worst drop since April 7 2025 during the ‘liberation day’ tariff panic.
South Korea’s KOSPI is down 6.7%, and Taiwan’s TAIEX has dropped by 4.5% in a broad rout.
Christopher Forbes , head of Asia and Middle East at CMC Markets , called the market action “a bit of a disaster”, explaining ( via Reuters ):
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in