Markets Plunge in Brazil After Voters Re-Elect Leftist President by Thinnest Margin

Dilma Rousseff defeated Aecio Neves by the thinnest margin in more than 30 years

Brazilian financial markets plunged on Monday with stocks falling to their lowest level in nearly seven months, as leftist President Dilma Rousseff's re-election victory dashed investor hopes of significant policy changes over the next four years.

Market sentiment going forward will likely depend on whether Rousseff signals policy tweaks to boost Brazil's flagging economy, as hinted in a conciliatory first speech she gave after defeating pro-business challenger Aecio Neves on Sunday.