Global markets jump despite oil price surge

Equity markets globally rose overnight, mimicking the trend seen across Europe yesterday, as investors cheered more positive data from the US.

Shares in the US climbed after unemployment claims dipped marginally, fuelling expectations that the world's biggest economy will avoid a downturn this year. The Dow closed up 0.22%, at 12,980, while the S&P 500 gained 0.62% to 1,374, with the indices close to three-year highs. Asian markets also posted gains in a week which saw US GDP revised upwards, with both the Nikkei and the Hang Seng making solid gains. The Nikkei closed up 0.72% at 9,777 points, while the Hang Seng rose 0.85% to  21,569. The gains come after UK and European shares rallied strongly on Thursday. The FTS...