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Plans Online Network to Import Drugs Big investors narrowly predict Kerry over Bush-poll LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The big money managers who steer billions of dollars in investments around the world reckon US Senator John Kerry might just beat President George W Bush in November but it is non-Americans who give him the best chance. As part of a monthly poll of fund managers -- usually geared to gather views on economic growth or corporate profits -- investment bank Merrill Lynch added a question about who would win the US presidential election. As in most current election polls, the race came out close. By 41 percent to 37 percent the nearly 300 respondents, who together manage around $940 billion in investments, said Kerry, the Democrat, would beat Bush, the Republican. But there was a difference in view depending on where the fund manager was based. "This is very much an international perspective of the election," said David Bowers, Merrill's chief global investment strategist. Bush won among the 36 North American-based respondents by a margin of 44 percent to 33 percent, among the 68 British-based managers by 37 percent to 34 percent, and among the 43 Japan-based respondents by 49 percent to 37 percent. Kerry, however, was favoured by the 96 continental Europeans by 46 percent to 33 percent, by 28 Asian Pacific-based respondents by 43 percent to 29 percent, and by 16 South African managers by 50 percent to 31 percent. The respondents were also asked about the impact of a Kerry win on financial markets. While 44 percent said a Kerry win would have no market impact, 37 percent said such an outcome would be negative and 13 percent believed it would be positive. The poll, released on Tuesday, was conducted between August 6 and 12. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd.
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