US Stocks ended a choppy session higher Monday, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq managing fresh 2009 highs on some optimism about a recovery in retail sales and gains in select sectors.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) rose 27 points, or 0.3%, according to early talies, ending at the highest point since Oct. 1, 2008. The S&P 500 index (SPX) gained 1 point, or 0.1%, and ended at the highest level since Oct. 1, 2008. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) rose 5 points, or 0.2%, ending at the highest point since Sept. 3, 2008. The London market was closed on Monday. On Thursday, the FTSE 100 index gained 30.03 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 5,402.41 points.
FRANKFURT - Germany's Dax added 45.48 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 6,002.92.
PARIS - The CAC 40 index gained 34.42 points, or 0.88 per cent, to 3,947.15.
Oil prices rose above $US79 barrel on Monday for the first time in four weeks as an extended cold snap in the US triggered an end-of-year rally in energy futures.
Benchmark crude for February delivery added 72 cents to a preliminary settlement at $US78.77 a barrel in light, holiday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Gold for February delivery gained $US3.10 to $US1,107.90 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
March silver added 12 cents to $US17.56 an ounce, while March copper futures were up 4.4 cents to $US3.3365 a pound.
GOLD up $3.10 to US$1107.90 an ounce SILVER up 12c to US$ 17.56 an ounce COPPER up 4.4c at US$3.3365 a pound
The Australian share market has received mixed leads from overseas, with Wall Street indices flat to lower, but metals and oil prices higher.
At 0658 AEDT on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index contract was six points higher at 4,820. There is no economics or equities news scheduled locally on Monday.
Today's Financial Calendar December 29 2009 US Treasury 5-year note auction US Conference Board consumer confidence, Dec US Case-Shiller house price index, Oct
