European stocks ended sharply lower on Tuesday, as several major companies turned in disappointing financial results and as investors fretted over the U.S. presidential election. "An ABC/Washington Post tracking poll put Donald Trump ahead by one point for the first time since May. Polls from battleground states have tightened significantly, leaving the race too close to call, a substantial turnaround from previous complacency over a Clinton victory," he added.

U.S. stocks fell Tuesday, with the S&P 500 dropping for a sixth consecutive session to end at a nearly four-month low as investors grappled with a tightening presidential race, economic data, corporate earnings, and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision. Polls show the race between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican rival Donald Trump continues to tighten. The latest ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll showed Trump taking a one-point lead, while the RealClearPolitics polling average showed Clinton's lead narrowed to 2.2 percentage points from more than 7 points two weeks ago.

Shares were sharply sold off across Asia on Wednesday, as a new poll showing Republican candidate Donald Trump leading the U.S. presidential race spooked investors.