US markets edged higher on report of declining jobless claims

11 Nov 2011 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Thursday, regaining some of the prior session’s losses after the government reported that jobless claims fell to a seven-month low and worries about Europe’s ability to handle its debt crisis abated. The US Labor Department reported that the number of Americans filing initial claims for jobless benefits declined to its lowest level in seven months. The Labor Department reported that new claims for unemployment benefits dropped 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 390,000 versus a revised 400,000 the prior week. The markets rejoiced after S&P stated that it did not cut France’s credit rating, clarifying a statement that suggested the rating had changed. The sentiments got further push with another report showing the US trade deficit narrowed in September to the lowest level this year as exports climbed to a record high.

In Europe, former European Commissioner Mario Monti appeared to be in line to replace Silvio Berlusconi as Italy’s prime minister and form a new government, while Greece’s main political parties agreed to participate in a coalition government headed by former European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 112.85 points, or 0.96 percent, to 11,893.80. The Standard and Poor’s 500 closed higher by 10.59 points, or 0.86 percent, to 1,239.69, while the Nasdaq composite gained 3.50 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,625.15.

The Indian ADRs closed mixed on Thursday, HDFC Bank was down by 0.38%, Tata Communications was down by 0.16% and Tata Motors was down by 0.03%. On the flip side, Dr. Reddys Lab was up 0.17% and Wipro was up 0.07%.


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