US markets surge as consumer confidence hits six-month high

10 Dec 2011 Evaluate

The US markets went for a rally and closed higher for the second straight week on Friday. All the three benchmark indices scored good gains for the week, as European leaders agreed for fiscal ties and US consumer confidence hit a six-month high. The markets gained as confidence among consumers rose more than forecast in December to a six-month high. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment rose to 67.7 from a final November reading of 64.1. Also, the trade deficit narrowed in October to the lowest level of the year, reflecting a drop in imports that will help give the US economy a lift. The gap shrank 1.6 percent to $43.5 billion, smaller than projected, from $44.2 billion in September, Commerce Department figures showed.

Besides, in Europe, 26 European nations stated that they’ll think about linking their economies more closely and the 17 nations that use the euro stated that they would sign an accord that would give a central authority better oversight of their budgets. Nine other European Union countries agreed to consider signing the treaty, while Britain stated it would not, as it does not want to be subjected to the proposed financial rules.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 186.56 points, or 1.55 percent, to 12,184.30. The Standard and Poor’s 500 closed higher by 20.84 points, or 1.69 percent, to 1,255.19, while the Nasdaq composite gained 50.47 points, or 1.94 percent, to 2,646.85.

The Indian ADRs made a mixed closing on Friday, Infosys Technologies was up by 1.89%, Dr. Reddys Lab was up by 0.62%, Tata Motors was up by 0.47% and HDFC Bank was up by 0.38%. On the flip side, MTNL was down by 0.02%.

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