A roundup of trading on major world markets:
NEW YORK – Blockbuster profits from Apple and a solid showing by Boeing have pumped up US markets, with a late boost coming from a slightly improved growth outlook from the Federal Reserve.
Apple’s shock profits report – net income in nearly doubled from a year ago to $US11.6 billion ($A11.28 billion) – gave its stock an 8.9 per cent boost to drive the Nasdaq market up for a 2.3 per cent gain.
The tech-heavy index finished 68.03 points higher at 3,029.63.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average of blue chips gained 89.16 points (0.69 per cent) to 13,090.72, thanks to Boeing’s strong earnings.
The broad-based S&P 500, which includes both Apple and Boeing, gained 18.72 (1.36 per cent) to 1,390.69.
LONDON – European stocks rose sharply as robust corporate results offset weak economic data and markets waited for the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision.
A strong start on Wall Street driven by gains of 10 per cent in Apple’s share price provided a lead but notably London missed out on the rally after figures showed the domestic economy slumping back into recession.
London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies closed up just 0.16 per cent at 5718.89 points but Frankfurt, the DAX 30 gained 1.73 per cent to 6704.50 points and in Paris the CAC 40 jumped 2.02 per cent to 3233.46 points.
Madrid gained 1.70 per cent while Milan jumped 2.92 per cent.
In foreign exchange deals, the European single currency was firmer at $1.3208, up from $1.3192 in New York late on Tuesday.
HONG KONG – Asian markets closed mixed after cautious trade as dealers awaited key policy meetings at the central banks of the United States and Japan.
The euro rose against the yen on expectations of another batch of easing measures from the Bank of Japan when it meets for its rate-setting meeting on Friday, while it was also supported by bargain buying after recent losses.
Tokyo climbed 0.98 per cent, or 92.97 points, to 9,561.01 on Wednesday and Seoul ended flat, dipping 1.44 points to 1,961.98.
Shanghai added 0.75 per cent, or 17.98 points, to end at 2,406.81 but Hong Kong slipped 0.15 per cent, or 30.87 points, to 20,646.29.
WELLINGTON – The NZX50 was closed for the Anzac Day public holiday.
