The market does not like uncertainty. So it stands to reason that investors become nervous ahead of a federal election. The potential for massive changes in economic focus and their unknown outcomes sees households and businesses put spending and investment decisions on hold.

Given the significant implications, markets will try to predict the probable consequences of either a Coalition or Australian Labor Party (ALP) victory. This election has many battle lines drawn around the topic of investments and taxation, so the result on May 18 has the potential to impact many listed companies and investors.