The US markets closed higher on Friday, with Dow snapping 6-day losing streak, as earnings beat estimates, consumer confidence reached a seven-year high and investors speculated that central banks will add more economic stimulus. On the economy front, consumer sentiment in October rose to a reading of 86.4 from 84.6 in September, marking the highest level since July 2007. The index was as high as 96.9 in January 2007 and was as low as 55.8 in August 2011. The pace of home construction climbed last month on a jump in apartment building. Construction started on new US homes rose 6.3% in September, with the annual rate hitting 1.02 million, following a sizable August drop. Signaling a continuation of the market’s rebound, the pace of total home-building starts was up 17.8% from the year-earlier period.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen stated that she was greatly concerned by the extent and continuing increase in inequality in the United States. Yellen added that some degree on inequality of income and wealth contributes to economic growth because it rewards hard work and risk taking. But the concern is that inequality of outcomes can exacerbate inequality of opportunity, thereby perpetuating a trend of increasing inequality. Income inequality - as measured by what’s called the Gini index - is up 4.9% since 1993.
Dow Jones Industrial Average added 263.17 points or 1.63 percent to 16,380.41, Nasdaq was up by 41.05 points or 0.97 percent to 4,258.44, while S&P 500 ended higher by 24.00 points or 1.29 percent to 1,886.76.
The Indian ADRs closed mostly in green on Friday; ICICI Bank was up 1.62%, HDFC Bank was up by 0.98% and Dr. Reddy’s Lab was up by 0.80%. On the other hand, Infosys was down by 0.87% and Wipro was down 0.11%.