NEW YORK (NYTIMES) - The tumultuous US presidential debate on Tuesday (Sept 29) night between President Donald Trump and former vice-president Joe Biden only added to concerns that a chaotic race to the November elections would agitate the markets.

Companies big and small have been on a roller coaster as coronavirus cases in the United States have continued to rise, and policymakers in Washington have inspired little confidence that they are ready to pass additional pandemic relief.

The first presidential debate has only added to the risks facing business. Many business leaders were concerned about disruptions to a smooth transition of power if Mr Trump lost, while others expressed dismay at his refusal to condemn white supremacy and his suggestion that the Proud Boys, a far-right group, should be prepared to "stand back and stand by".

"People just want stability, some degree of normalcy," said Mr Aaron Levie, chief executive of the tech company Box.

"We want to understand what the geopolitical landscape looks like, what trade looks like, what immigration looks like. There's not a clear underlying philosophy that drives this administration, other than nationalism. You just can't predict the next move," he said.

Mr Levie added that he was concerned that another term for Mr Trump would lead to fewer foreign nationals coming to the United States to pursue education and professional opportunities, noting that many of the country's most successful companies have been started by immigrants.

Here is what others have said.

Mr Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, a tech firm that had its debut on Wall Street on Wednesday: "I do think that (the fact that) America does not look very stable is a problem. Fifty per cent of our business is outside of America, and the fact that the global brand of America is really suffering could have long-term impact our business."

Mr Barry Sternlicht, co-founder and CEO of real estate investment fund Starwood Capital, said of Mr Trump's "stand back and stand by" comment: "I have no space in my life for that."

Ms Mindy Grossman, CEO of Weight Watchers' parent WW International: "It was hard to watch. We look at our leaders in a certain way and I don't think that was exemplified in the event last night."

Mr Robert Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television: "I can't tell you who won, but I can tell you who lost: That was the American people. It was a waste of an hour and a half that gave no guidance, no direction at all over where the country will go after this election."

Mr Lloyd Blankfein, who served as chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs until the end of 2018, tweeted: "So far the stock market doesn't seem too upset at the prospect of Biden winning, despite Trump's more market friendly policies."

Mr Michael Novogratz, trader and merchant banker who is supporting Mr Biden: "I thought Trump was so horrible that he didn't do himself any good. His rudeness, his facial anger, the whole body language was just so violent."

Mr Ryan Gellert, CEO of outdoors brand Patagonia: "(The debate) was a real embarrassment to America and our leadership place in the world. The fact that we are now in advance debating the efficacy of an upcoming election and trying to delegitimise it - it's such a turn in the wrong direction."