Hillary Clinton cancels California trip due to pneumonia, adds to market wobble
United States presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has cancelled a scheduled trip to California after she was revealed to have been diagnosed with pneumonia.
After Clinton appeared to be suffering health issues as she left early from a public ceremony on Sunday to commemorate those who died in the 9/11 attacks, it later emerged that she had been diagnosed with the bacterial lung condition by her doctor towards the end of last week.
Clinton was scheduled to attend events on Monday and Tuesday, as well as filming for an episode of the Ellen Degeneres show. The Democrat nominee's doctor confirmed the news but also said that she was "recovering nicely".
"Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies," Dr Lisa R Bardack said in a statement. "On Friday, during follow up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule."
"While at this morning’s event, she became overheated and dehydrated. I have just examined her and she is now re-hydrated and recovering nicely."
Footage surfaced on social media site Twitter following the event to mark the 15th anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.
It appears to show the Clinton stumbling and being helped by her aides as she was about to enter her vehicle.
Just a terrible video for Clinton. Can't stand up by herself at 9/11 memorial two months before the election.pic.twitter.com/JQwwZ2qxPW
— Matthew Bennett (@matthewbennett) September 11, 2016
The news comes at a critical time for Clinton as Republican rival Donald Trump appears to be taking the lead in certain polls ahead of the November election.
Analyst Mike van Dulken at Accendo Markets in London told clients on Monday that the Clinton news was adding to the market's anxiety.
“Equities indices are down sharply this morning as investors react to heightened fears about, firstly, a Fed rate hike next week and what it means for diverging global monetary policy, and, secondly, a new layer of political event risk as questions are asked about the health of Hillary Clinton and what that means for an already 'interesting' US presidential race set to conclude in just months," he said.