US markets ended higher on Thursday ahead of the long weekend. Though, initially the stocks showed a lackluster trade but despite low volumes, gained momentum on expectation of good personal income and consumer sentiment data to be reported on Friday. S&P 500 pierced through levels last seen in 2007 to end at a record high near 1,570 and the Dow logged its strongest quarter in 15 years. Traders also took support from the Commerce Department report showing that economic activity in the final three months of 2012 increased at a faster rate than previously estimated. The Commerce Department said GDP increased at an annual rate of 0.4 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the previously reported 0.1 percent increase. Positive sentiments were supported by the news that the re-opening of banks in Cyprus was met with relative calm, with strict restrictions on transactions helping to prevent a panic.
On the other hand, the Labor Department reported a bigger than expected increase in initial jobless claims in the week ended March 23rd. Initial jobless claims rose to 357,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 341,000. Also, the Institute for Supply Management - Chicago released a report showing that its business barometer fell to 52.4 in March from 56.8 in February, indicating a slowdown in the pace of growth in Chicago-area business activity.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 52.38 points or 0.36 percent to 14,578.54, the Nasdaq edged up 11.00 points or 0.34 percent to 3,267.52 and the S&P 500 added 6.34 points or 0.41 percent to 1,569.19.
The Indian ADRs made a mixed closing on Thursday HDFC Bank was up by 0.62%, ICICI Bank was up by 1.74%, Infy was up by 1.18%. On the other hand Tata Motors was down by 0.79%.
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