U.S. stocks open lower after Trump victory

U.S. stocks opened sharply lower Wednesday, as Wall Street assessed economic uncertainties after U.S. Republican Donald Trump won the country's presidential election.

Trump defeated his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's presidential election, pulling a major upset after a controversial and scandalous campaign cycle.

According to projections by major TV networks, Trump has surpassed the threshold of 270 out of the total 538 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

Clinton, a former first lady and secretary of state, has made a formal telephone call to Trump to concede the election, but will not speak until the next morning, according to media.

Trump addressed the nation at the Hilton hotel ballroom in midtown Manhattan, saying that "I'll be a president for all Americans."

Financial markets around the world had been pricing in a victory for Clinton over Trump.

Dow futures had plunged more than 800 points on Tuesday night as the U.S. presidential election remained much tighter than expected, with Trump showing strength in crucial battleground states.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.37 points, or 0.11 percent, to 18,312.37. The S&P 500 lost 6.76 points, or 0.32 percent, to 2,132.80. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 36.32 points, or 0.70 percent, to 5,157.17.

On Tuesday, U.S. stocks reversed early losses to end higher following the previous day's solid gains, as investors eagerly awaited the outcome of the country's presidential race. Endi