The United States Associated Press has called the presidential election for Republican candidateĀ Donald Trump, after he won swing states Ohio and Florida and pulled bricks out of Hillary Clinton's rust belt blue wall, pushing WA gold stocks well up and causing volatility across financial markets.
The United States Associated Press has called the presidential election for Republican candidate Donald Trump, after he won swing states Ohio and Florida and pulled bricks out of Hillary Clinton's rust belt blue wall, pushing Western Australian gold stocks well up and causing volatility across financial markets.
Fox News has also called the election for Mr Trump, with states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, generally considered in the Democratic base, moving into his coloumn.
He currently sits on 274 electoral college votes with some still undecided and only 270 required to win.
The Republican Party is almost certain to retain control of the congressional house and senate.
The most recent estimate in terms of popular vote suggests Mr Trump was ahead in that count, too, with 55.6 million ahead of 54.4 million.
Markets have been rocked, with the ASX200 down 2 per cent to 5,156.6 points at the time of writing, while Japan's Nikkei was down 5.4 per cent.
In terms of WA stocks, moves were more sedate, with the Business News BN30 down 1.16 points.
Traditional safehaven gold was the big winner, up by 3.6 per cent to US$1,321 per ounce.
That made gold miners the five best performing stocks on the ASX200, with Saracen Mineral Holdings up 15.2 per cent to $1.40 per share, Northern Star Resources 10.5 per cent higher to $4.64 and Newcrest Mining rising 9.8 per cent to $25.35.
Evolution Mining was 11.4 per cent higher to $2.55, and St Barabara rose 8.9 per cent to $2.95.
Lithium play Galaxy Resources took a hammering, down 9.1 per cent to 30 cents per share, while Beach Energy was 9.6 per cent lower at 71 cents and Santos falling 7.5 per cent to $3.44.
European stocks were up slightly, with the FTSE100 0.5 per cent higher at 6,843 points, and the French CAC40 up 0.4 per cent.
Dow futures were down 800 points over night, according to Bloomberg.
It has been reported Ms Clinton has called Mr Trump to concede.
In his victory speech, Mr Trump thanked Mrs Clinton for her service to the country over many years.
"It is time for us to come together as one united people," Mr Trump said.
"I will be president for all Americans, and this is so important to me.
"Working together we will begin the urgent task of renewing our nation and rebuilding the American dream.
"I've gotten to know our country so well, (we have) tremendous potential.
"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the US would come together after a bitter campaign.
"I understand that Australians have been confronted by the intensity of the political battle in the United States,” Mr Turnbull said.
"We have no stronger relationship, whether it is on the battlefield, or in commerce, than we have with the US.
"Our relationship with the US has been built on millions of Australians and Americans who have been working together... fighting together for over a century.
"The enduring national interest of our two countries are such that our relationship will continue to be strong.”