Wall Street and the business community, breaking from a years-long trend, are hedging their political bets by making more contributions to Democrats in the midterm elections, according to fundraising data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Not since 2008 have donors in the securities and investment industry given a higher percentage to Democratic candidates and party committees than to Republicans, the data show. This year through October 17, Wall Street contributors donated about $85m to Democrats and about $76m to Republicans.