US Stocks rallied Thursday as investors sorted through a bevy of reports on jobs, housing, net worth and the deficit -- and opted to scoop up a variety of shares.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) rose 69 points, or 0.7%, according to early tallies. The S&P 500 index (SPX) added 6 points, or 0.6%. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) gained 7 points, or 0.3%.
Analyst said "We've come an awfully long way in 12 months, both in terms of equity markets and in terms of bonds. I think at this point people are starting to pause, and you're not likely to see much of a change in direction for the last few weeks of the year."
The London FTSE 1OO index rose 40.48points, or 0.78 per cent to close at 5,244.37.
FRANKFURT - Germany's Dax gained 61.18 points, or 1.08 per cent, to 5,709.02.
PARIS - The CAC 40 rose 40.99 points, or 1.09 per cent, to 3,798.38.
Benchmark crude for January delivery gave up 13 cents to settle at $US70.54 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Australian shares are likely to open higher on Friday after US stocks gained on better than expected US export figures. At 0711 AEDT on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the Decemaber share price index contract was 30 points higher at 4,644.
GOLD up $5.30c to US$1126.20 an ounce SILVER up 0.8c to US$ 17.188 an ounce COPPER down 2.05c at US$3.103 a pound
Today's Financial Calendar December 11 2009
China producer price index (PPI), Nov China consumer price index (CPI), Nov China retail sales, Nov China industrial production, Nov China trade balance, Nov Japan consumer confidence, Dec UK producer price index (PPI), Nov US retail sales, Nov US import price index, Oct China fixed asset investment, Nov US Michigan Uni consumer confidence (prelim), Dec US business inventories, Oct (AVM) - Annual General Meeting (CSL) - Annual R&D Briefing Day (MOG) - EGM (RHL) - Annual General Meeting (RHE) - Annual General Meeting (10:00 AM) (CLU) - Annual General Meeting (10:30 AM)
