US and Europe
US stocks remained firm following an encouraging US manufacturing and labor data as traders took cue from developments across the Atlantic after Eurozone shares rebounded from early losses in the wake of the Paris terror attacks last Friday.
S&P 500 advanced 1.49% to 2,053.19, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index rose 1.38% to 17,483.01
Factory activity in New York shrank for a four straight month this year by a slowdown in China, and weak growth in Europe, strong US dollar creating an impact of higher price in US goods compared overseas. The New York Federal Reserve’s Empire State manufacturing index edged up slightly to minus 10.7, from -11.4 in October. Any figure below zero indicates contraction.
European stocks showed resiliency amid the last week’s terror attack in Paris, as market players focused on a weaker euro and ECB’s statement on policy easing.
