Major US stock indices fell significantly on Wednesday, as investors fled from risky assets amid uncertainty about the ability of US President Trump to implement tax and regulatory reform.

Reports that Trump asked FBI director Komi to stop the investigation into the former national security adviser raised the question of whether Trump tried to intervene in the federal investigation. In addition, today the congressman from Texas Al Green has already called on colleagues to announce Trump impeachment.

Oil prices rose by about 1%, helped by a positive report from the US Energy Ministry, which pointed to a drop in oil reserves, and gasoline and distillates. Additional support for oil was provided by the widespread weakening of the US dollar. The US Energy Ministry said that during the week of May 6-12, oil reserves fell by 1.8 million barrels to 520.8 million barrels. Analysts on average expected a drop in inventories at 2.283 million barrels. Oil reserves in the Cushing terminal increased by 35,000 barrels to 66.3 million barrels. The gasoline reserves decreased by 413,000 barrels to 240.7 million barrels.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (25 out of 30). Most fell shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, -5.27%). The leader of growth was UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 0.57%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index finished trading in the red. The conglomerate sector fell most of all (-2.9%). Growth was demonstrated only the utilities sector (+ 0.1%).

At closing:

DJIA -1.77% 20,609.28 -370.47

Nasdaq -2.57% 6,011.24 -158.63

S & P -1.81% 2,357.32 -43.35

U.S. stock-index futures fell amid concerns that a fresh controversy around President Donald Trump could derail his ambitious pro-growth agenda.

Stocks:

Nikkei 19,814.88 -104.94 -0.53%

Hang Seng 25,293.63 -42.31 -0.17%

Shanghai 3,104.74 -8.22 -0.26%

S&P/ASX 5,786.03 -64.49 -1.10%

FTSE 7,508.84 -13.19 -0.18%

CAC 5,371.67 -34.43 -0.64%

DAX 12,753.13 -51.40 -0.40%

Crude $48.82 (+0.33%)

Gold $1,250.90 (+1.17%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Home Depot (HD) target raised to $175 from $154 at Telsey Advisory Group

Walt Disney (DIS) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Macquarie

European stocks finished slightly lower Tuesday, with declines in automobile shares and a rise in the euro drawing Germany's benchmark down from its previous record. "Markets seem to be enjoying the signs that incumbent governments are set for victory in upcoming elections," said Jasper Lawler, senior market analyst at London Capital Group, in a note.

The S&P 500 index on Tuesday marked its 15th session with a move within 0.5%, representing the longest such streak in about 48 years, according to Dow Jones data. The longest consecutive period of closes within 0.5% for the S&P 500 SPX, -0.07% is a 20-session streak in February 1969. Tuesday's trading come amid heightened doubts that President Donald Trump can easily push through Congress the type of market-friendly policies that have helped so-called risk assets log a series of all-time highs.

A falling U.S. dollar pressured stocks in Japan and cast broader concern over equity markets in the region, as turmoil in Washington continued to raise doubts about the Trump administration's ability to make progress on policy. The WSJ Dollar Index has fallen for five straight sessions, putting it at its lowest level since November. It fell a further 0.1% in Asian trading Wednesday.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei +49.97 19919.82 +0.25%

TOPIX +4.23 1584.23 +0.27%

Hang Seng -35.65 25335.94 -0.14%

CSI 300 +29.46 3428.65 +0.87%

Euro Stoxx 50 +0.01 3641.89 +0.00%

FTSE 100 +67.66 7522.03 +0.91%

DAX -2.51 12804.53 -0.02%

CAC 40 -11.30 5406.10 -0.21%

DJIA -2.19 20979.75 -0.01%

S&P 500 -1.65 2400.67 -0.07%

NASDAQ +20.20 6169.87 +0.33%

S&P/TSX -86.14 15543.33 -0.55%