U.S. Stocks Snap Five-Day Drop on Jobs as Yen Weakens

Posted by Bloomberg

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U.S. stocks rose for the first time in six days after American employers added more jobs than forecast and the jobless rate dropped to the lowest since 2008. Commodities climbed and the yen weakened.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index jumped 1 percent to 1,801.93 at 11:37 a.m. in New York, its biggest gain in a month. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index rallied 0.7 percent, rebounding from its lowest close since Oct. 14. Ten-year Treasury yields fell 2.2 basis points to 2.85 percent after yesterday reaching the highest since September. The Bloomberg U.S. Dollar Index was little changed while the yen fell against all 16 major counterparts after the head of an advisory panel called on the nation’s pension fund to cut debt holdings. Copper and gold increased.

The U.S. jobless rate fell to 7 percent, showing progress in the labor market that will help provide a spark for the U.S. economy. The S&P 500 had fallen for five straight days, its longest slump since September, as improving economic data fueled concern the Federal Reserve will reduce its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases meant to suppress interest rates and bolster growth. The benchmark gauge of U.S. options prices retreated today after eight straight gains, matching a record streak.

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