World stocks most rise as rate-hike fears ebb

Global stocks mostly rose Friday as investors continued to ramp up purchases as equities have stabilized following a bout of volatility earlier in the month.

The Dow finished narrowly positive, up 0.1 percent 25.219,38, following a choppy session. Despite the muted finale, the week was the sixth straight positive close for the blue-chip index as it notched its best weekly gain since November 2016.

European stocks were broadly higher, while the dollar rebounded after striking a new three-year low against the euro and touching a 15-month low against the yen.

“European stocks are higher today as traders’ levels of optimism rise,” said market analyst David Madden at CMC Markets UK.

“The bullish momentum is growing, and the higher equity markets rise, the more it encourages other investors to jump on the bandwagon.”

Some, however, questioned the assumption stock markets were back in full swing, and had brushed off last week’s dizzying falls as a one-off correction. (AFP)