Retailes see gains in Europe

European markets were higher as well. The FSTE Eurofirst 300 added 0.8 percent to 1,612.5. In Madrid, the IBEX was 0.44 percent higher to 14,869.4, while the CAC-40 in Paris gained 0.71 percent to 6,069.84. The Dax was up 1.16 percent to 8,050.68 in Frankfurt. Retailers saw gains on the day, while carmakers were mixed. Software makers and airlines were lower.

In London, the FTSE 100 was 0.75 percent higher to 6,639.8, while the FTSE 250 added 1.85 percent on the session to close at 11,747.6. Pubs operators did well on the day, as did some in the mining sector. Energy-related stocks, including utilities, power generators, and oil producers saw declines.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong set a new recrod, adding 1.74 percent to close at 22,151.14. Elsewhere, the Straits Times index in Singapore added 0.45 percent to 3,566.27, while the Sydney Ordinaries were 0.56 percent higher to 6,333.8 in Australia. In India, the Sensex was up 0.97 percent to 14,806.51.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was virtually flat at 18,149.90, while the Topix managed a gain of 0.1 percent to 1,781.86. Carmakers and construction equipment manufacturers saw gains, as did at least one securities broker. The electronics sector was mixed, while retailers saw declines.

In New York, equities markets were higher at mid-session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.27 percent to 13,571.45, while the Nasdaq Composite had added 0.35 percent to 2,641.41 and the S&P 500 was up 0.26 percent to 1,523.43. Factory orders were not down as much as expected in May. Carmakers saw declines after one reported that car sales were down in June. A broker downgrade resulted in declines in the construction equipment sector, while the food processing sector saw losses due to bids talk. Computers were mixed.

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