Beijing on December 16 evening news, U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday. U.S. weekly initial jobless claims fell to enhance market confidence.
At 09:35 on December 16 EST, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 14.80 points to 11,472.27 points, or 0.13%; the Nasdaq composite index rose 3.67 points to 2,620.89 points, or 0.14%; the S & P 500 Index rose 1.38 points to 1,236.61 points, or 0.11%.
Labor market data released today encouraging. The Labor Department reported the week ending December 11 initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 3,000, to 42 million people. Data from 42.1 million the previous week were revised up to 42.3 million. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had expected claims for unemployment benefits last week increased the number of 4000.
But the number of housing starts last month increased by only 3.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual basis to reach 55.5 million, lower than the 6.0% increase expected by economists. The situation may be indicative of future construction building permits fell 4.0%, to 53 million.
In addition, the Commerce Department reported Thursday third-quarter U.S. current account deficit to expand, reflecting the increase in imports of consumer goods. Third-quarter current account deficit rose by 3.2% to 127.2 billion U.S. dollars.
30 yr fixed mortgage rates
interest only loans
interest only loans rates
interest only mortgage rates
quantitative easing
china inflation
china inflation rate