Global equities rebounded sharply today, the eve of the US presidential election, after the FBI handed market favourite Hillary Clinton a major boost by ruling out criminal charges.
Asian and European equities surged higher as traders breathed a sigh of relief as FBI chief James Comey said Democratic nominee Clinton would not face charges over her use of a private email server, dealing a blow to her Republican rival Donald Trump.
In European deals, Frankfurt stocks won 1.5 per cent, London added 1.3 per cent and Paris jumped 1.7 per cent in value.
The Mexican peso -- which has taken on an inverse relationship with Trump's presidential prospects -- staged a stunning rally against the dollar to recoup all its losses from last week.
The currency is considered a reflection of Trump's chances because of his anti-Mexican rhetoric -- including his pledge to remove undocumented migrants, build a border wall and tear up a trade deal.
"European equity markets are... Boosted by the news that the FBI has not changed its conclusion on the Hillary Clinton email investigation after announcing a little over a week ago that it had been reopened," said Oanda analyst Craig Erlam.
"The timing of FBI director James Comey's disclosure has once again dealt a serious blow to Donald Trump's chances of securing the White House, something the markets have responded very positively to."
Markets were plunged into turmoil on October 28 when Comey revealed that messages linked to Clinton were being investigated, sending Trump surging in opinion polls just days before the November 8 vote.
However, Comey on Sunday announced he would not change his July recommendation that Clinton not be prosecuted for allegedly putting US secrets at risk.
Investors became more willing Monday to hold assets that are deemed to carry a higher risk -- like equities.
"The dark clouds seem to be dissipating on news that FBI sent a letter to Congress citing that Hillary Clinton had not committed a crime with her private server," said London Capital Group analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya.
"The FBI news triggered a risk rally across the global financial markets."
Former secretary of state Clinton is considered by many investors to be a safer bet than Trump, who is seen as a loose cannon with policies many fear could wreck the world's top economy.
"The US election is all that matters," Ozkardeskaya added.
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