Vladimir Timofeev/Dreamstime
Global stocks rose on Thursday, helped by a return to strength for U.S. markets, with companies so far beating expectations on earnings.
In Asia, the
stormed 2.4% higher after two days of losses. E-commerce group
surged 7% while medical equipment maker
and
were among a broad-based group of Japanese companies to rise.
Other international markets advanced, with the
rising 0.5% in Hong Kong and the
adding 0.6%. The
edged 0.2% lower.
U.S. stock futures were steady, following Wednesday’s low-volume march to the second-highest level in history for the
“The losing streak in the U.S. ended at just two sessions, with earnings optimism renewed and the small-caps leading the gains, while value narrowly beat growth,” said Ian Williams, a strategist at U.K. broker Peel Hunt.
The European Central Bank isn’t expected to make waves with its April decision, after agreeing to accelerate bond purchases last month, while the U.S. data calendar includes weekly jobless claims and existing home sales.
Earnings are due from companies including telecommunications giant
AT&T,
and, after the close, microprocessor maker
shares surged in after-hours trade on Wednesday, after the data-warehouse software company said its March quarter results would be much stronger than forecast.
shares slumped in Zurich, as the bank said it is raising $1.9 billion to rebuild its balance sheet and said it would have to take another charge, in the second quarter, over the collapse of Archegos Capital Management.
rose in Swiss trade, as the food and beverage giant reported stronger-than-forecast sales.
