Following are five big themes likely to dominate thinking of investors and traders in the coming week and the Reuters stories related to them.

1/ MIDTERM MADNESS

If the last five U.S. midterm elections are anything to go by, investors should be long U.S. stocks on Tuesday to make the most of a knee-jerk upwards move - no matter what the outcome. Equities have risen the day after each of the past five midterms.

During President Barack Obama's second term in November 2014, stocks rose 0.6 percent when Republicans made broad gains and took control of the Senate. Energy stocks got a particular boost on hopes of approvals for pipelines. And Obama's first-term midterm elections also saw stocks grind higher after Republicans took control of the House.

Going back to 2006 during President George W Bush's second term, stocks nudged 0.2 percent up when Democrats took control of the house; while in 2002 stocks rose 0.9 percent.

A Republican win this time around, that allows them to retain total control of Congress, could boost stocks as it would increase the chances of more tax reform and further de-regulation. Still, a Democratic takeover of the House may not significantly shake the market if it has effectively been priced in - offering the prospect of gridlock and stability in policy.