Stocks Climb on Earnings, Currency Pairs trade accordingly

Global equity markets soared last week, after strong earnings releases in the United States led the benchmark S&P 500 index to new highs for 2009. The S&P 500 rose 16 points or 1.5% during the week, while the Dow Industrial index broke the psychological 10,000 level. European indices such as the DAX and the FTSE made new highs for 2009, while Asian equity markets posted solid weeks after previously retracing from high level.

The markets started on a positive note on Monday, following the prior week’s rally in the equity markets. The market leveled off on Tuesday prior to a wave of global economic releases and numerous earning releases from large caps. On Wednesday the markets shifted into high gear, after strong earnings numbers from Intel and JP Morgan (Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning respectively).

The markets also welcomed strong Retail sales on Wednesday which, excluding sales of autos and food sales, increased 0.5%. It was a welcome sign of consumer activity especially after one of the deepest downturns in history. The headline number fell 1.5% in September with the end of the "cash for clunkers" program, but consumer spending rose in many categories, lifting hopes that the economic recovery is gaining momentum at the start of the holiday shopping season.

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