Asian Markets are set to open higher after U.S. stocks climbed, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its biggest gain of the month, as better-than-estimated housing starts added to expectations the world’s largest economy will weather Europe’s debt crisis.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 337.32 points higher, or 2.87%, at 12103.60 with a rally powered ahead by hopes for the financial market, relief for banks and a bit of short-covering after recent decline. The S&P500 rose 35.95 points, or 2.98%, to 1241.30, while the Nasdaq jumped 80.59 points or 3.19%.
Stocks gained as builders broke ground in November on more houses than at any time in the past 19 months. The Federal Reserve sought to curb the risk of financial turmoil by strengthening its tools for preventing the collapse of large firms and demanding stricter oversight by companies’ boards of directors. Concern about Europe’s crisis eased today as German business confidence unexpectedly grew.
The euro rallied to a one-week high against the dollar after borrowing costs fell at a Spanish bill sale and German business confidence unexpectedly increased, easing concern the region’s debt crisis is worsening.
WTI Oil prices rose, with U.S. crude posting the biggest percentage rise since late October, on supportive economic data that also lifted the euro and equities, coupled with worries about potential supply disruptions in Iran and Kazakhstan. U.S. January crude rose $3.19, or 3.39%, to settle at $97.24 a barrel, having reached $97.45 and pushing back above the 200-day moving average of $95.78.
Gold prices rose to their highest in nearly a week as the euro rallied 1% versus the dollar, with rising stock markets pointing to a sharper appetite for assets seen as higher risk at the U.S. currency’s expense. Spot was up 1.3% at $1,612.80 an ounce. Prices are within $10 of their 200-day moving average, a key technical level they fell through last week, which is just above $1,621 an ounce.
INDICES
Last Traded
SPI 200 future 4113
S&P500 Index 1241.30
Dow Jones 12103.60
FTSE 100 Index 5419.60
COMMODITIES
Last Traded
Gold 1617.20
Oil (Nymex) 97.46
CURRENCIES
Last Traded
AUDUSD 1.0075
EURUSD 1.3080
GBPUSD 1.5662
USDJPY 77.88
Source
Bloomberg, Dow Jones News