US stock markets off to a flying start

UPBEAT news on the US economy got America's stock markets off to a good start for 2011.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Jan 2011, 15:03 BST

Updated 4th Jan 2011, 00:20 BST

Reports on manufacturing and construction spending were both better than expected.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 93 points, or 0.8 per cent, to close at 11,671. The S&P 500 gained 14, or 1.1 per cent, to 1,272. The Nasdaq rose 39, or 1.5 per cent, to 2,692.

UK markets were closed.