US shares closed on Thursday at their highest since the 2008 financial crisis, after good news on unemployment figures boosted sentiment.
The weekly report of new claims for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level since March 2008. There was also positive earnings news during the day from carmaker GM which unveiled record profits for 2011 and saw its shares soar by 9%. Following the news, the Dow Jones closed up 122.76 points, or 0.96%, to 12,903.71, its highest level since May 2008. The Nasdaq rose to its highest level since December 2000 and the S&P 500 reached its highest point since May 2011. Asian markets also gained on hopes of a recovery in the US. Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 1.6% while South Korea...
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