US market edge higher as Euro debt concerns subside

13 Jan 2012 Evaluate

The US markets closed higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 extending its advances into a fourth day, as the Spanish and Italian auctions fueled optimism that Europe’s debt crisis was not worsening and overshadowed data on US jobless claims and retail sales that disappointed investors in early trade. The US retail sales rose less than thought in December and weekly jobless claims climbed more than anticipated. Jobless claims rose by 24,000 to a seasonally adjusted 399,000 in the week ended January 7, the US Labor Department stated, while retail sales rose 0.1% in December. The data may curb some enthusiasm for US growth resurgence, as there were three elements that helped drive optimism towards the end of the year - jobs, retail spending and housing.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi stated that euro-zone debt markets remain at risk but some recent liquidity measures were helping. The ECB head spoke after the central bank held interest rates unchanged after two consecutive cuts, with recent illustrations of some economic strength in the region allowing the central bank to keep its benchmark rate at 1%. Also, a drop in borrowing costs at debt auctions in Europe fostered optimism, with Spain selling 10 billion euros, or $13 billion, in bonds, double the goal for the auction. Italy sold 12 billion euros of bills, offsetting worries it would face an uphill battle to finance its debt.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher by 21.57 points, or 0.17 percent, at 12,471.00. The S&P 500 was up by 3.02 points, or 0.23 percent, at 1,295.50, while the Nasdaq closed up 13.94 points, or 0.51 percent, at 2,724.70.

Indian ADRs closed mixed on Thursday, Infosys Technologies was down 5.02%, Wipro was down 0.46% and ICICI Bank was down by 0.38%. On the flip side, Tata Communications was up 0.30% and Sterlite Industries was up 0.13%.  

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