Americans are voting for their next president at the end of the longest, most expensive campaign in US history.
Republican John McCain is attempting to defy the opinion polls while Democrat Barack Obama is seeking to become the country's first black president.
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, cast in ballot in Chicago. Mr McCain has gone to Arizona, his home state, to vote.
Half-year profits at Marks and Spencer have fallen 34% as the weakening economy has hit consumer confidence.
The retailer said pre-tax profit stood at £297.8m in the first half of the financial year, down from £451.8m a year earlier.
Sales of food and clothing both fell more than 5% during the period.
M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose said trade had been volatile in October and he was cautious about the rest of the year given the recent financial crisis.
