Stocks Best Start Since 1994 Tops Commodities
By Rita Nazareth -
Jan 31, 2012 11:18 PM PT
Equities around the world are off to the best start in 18 years, topping gains in commodities and handing investors January’s best returns, as U.S. economic growth shows signs of accelerating and European leaders move closer to a solution on the region’s debt crisis.
The MSCI All-Country World Index rose 5.8 percent including dividends as banks and mining companies rallied 9.3 percent or more, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI Total Return Index of metals, fuels and agricultural products added 2.2 percent, the most since October. Global bonds climbed 0.6 percent and the U.S. dollar fell 1.1 percent.
Almost $3 trillion has been added to stock values and European shares ended a five-month bear market as economists lifted forecasts for U.S. gross domestic product. Reports showing American unemployment and Chinese inflation declined, while German investor confidence jumped, pushed up equities as the U.S. Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero percent through 2014.
The MSCI All-Country World Index rose 5.8 percent including dividends as banks and mining companies rallied 9.3 percent or more, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI Total Return Index of metals, fuels and agricultural products added 2.2 percent, the most since October. Global bonds climbed 0.6 percent and the U.S. dollar fell 1.1 percent.
Almost $3 trillion has been added to stock values and European shares ended a five-month bear market as economists lifted forecasts for U.S. gross domestic product. Reports showing American unemployment and Chinese inflation declined, while German investor confidence jumped, pushed up equities as the U.S. Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates near zero percent through 2014.