NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Monday, marking a strong start to the week as upbeat earnings and easing inflation concerns boosted investor confidence. The Street was ablaze on hopes the government shutdown is coming to an end. It "is likely to end sometime this week," National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett told CNBC Monday. 

Major indices advanced across the board, led by gains in technology and industrial shares, With Apple sharges suring more than 4 percent.

The Standard and Poor's 500 climbed 71.12 points, or 1.07 percent, to close at 6,735.13, with broad-based gains across all 11 sectors. Technology, communication services, and financials led the advance as investors rotated back into growth-oriented shares following last week's volatility.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 515.97 points, or 1.12 percent, to finish at 46,706.58, buoyed by strong performances from major blue-chip names in the industrial and healthcare sectors. Analysts noted that investor optimism was supported by expectations the Federal Reserve may maintain a steady policy stance into year's end.

The NASDAQ Composite gained 310.57 points, or 1.37 percent, to close at 22,990.54, as heavyweight technology and semiconductor stocks powered higher. The index notched its best single-day gain in nearly three weeks, with momentum returning to large-cap growth names amid improved earnings sentiment.

Market analysts said Monday's rally reflected growing investor optimism that global markets are stabilizing after several weeks of mixed economic signals. "We're seeing renewed confidence that inflation is under control and that corporate profits are holding up," one strategist noted.

Investors now turn their attention to key U.S. economic data due later in the week, including retail sales and manufacturing activity, which could offer further insight into the strength of consumer demand and potential policy moves by the Federal Reserve.

U.S. Dollar Mixed as Commodity Currencies Strengthen

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against major currencies on Monday, edging higher against the yen and the Canadian dollar, but slipping slightly against the euro and Swiss franc as traders weighed economic signals and interest rate expectations ahead of key U.S. data later in the week.

The euro was modestly lower, with the EUR/USD pair easing 0.06 percent to 1.1643, as the common currency lost early ground following subdued eurozone data. The British pound also softened, with GBP/USD slipping 0.13 percent to 1.3405, as investors assessed the outlook for U.K. inflation and potential Bank of England policy responses.

In contrast, the U.S. dollar strengthened slightly against the Japanese yen, rising 0.06 percent to 150.71, as traders kept a close watch on any signs of intervention by Japanese authorities amid persistent yen weakness. The U.S. dollar/Canadian dollar (USD/CAD) pair climbed 0.11 percent to 1.4033, supported by softer crude oil prices and stronger U.S. yields.

The U.S. dollar/Swiss franc (USD/CHF) pair edged down 0.11 percent to 0.7922, with investors turning to the franc as a modest safe haven amid ongoing geopolitical concerns.

Among the commodity-linked currencies, the Australian dollar advanced 0.38 percent to 0.6514, buoyed by improved risk sentiment and steady iron ore prices. The New Zealand dollar mirrored the move, gaining 0.38 percent to 0.5745, as regional markets rallied and investors grew more optimistic about the global economic outlook.

Overall, the day's trading reflected a balanced tone in the foreign exchange markets, with the dollar holding firm against most major peers while commodity currencies found renewed support from stronger equity markets and steady investor confidence.

Global stocks advance, many markets in Asia surge, Japan's Nikkei 225 hits highest level of year

World stock markets outside the U.S. closed mostly higher on Monday, with strong rallies across Asian and European indices boosting investor sentiment as traders looked past recent volatility and focused on signs of global economic resilience.

In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index advanced 307.96 points, or 1.02 percent, to end at 30,416.44, lifted by energy and materials shares as commodity prices firmed. Mining and financial stocks also contributed to the index's strong finish, reflecting steady confidence in the domestic economy.

In London, the FTSE 100 gained 49.00 points, or 0.52 percent, to finish at 9,403.57, supported by strength in energy and financial shares.

Germany's DAX index surged 427.81 points, or 1.80 percent, to close at 24,258.80, while France's CAC 40 advanced 31.87 points, or 0.39 percent, to 8,206.07. The Euro Stoxx 50 also climbed 73.54 points, or 1.31 percent, to 5,680.93, marking one of the stronger sessions in recent weeks. The Euronext 100 Index rose 14.54 points, or 0.86 percent, to end at 1,704.62, and Belgium's BEL 20 finished 1.35 percent higher at 5,030.57.

In Asia, sentiment was particularly upbeat. The Nikkei 225 in Japan led the region with a sharp jump of 1,603.35 points, or 3.37 percent, to close at 49,185.50, its highest level of the year. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 611.73 points, or 2.42 percent, to 25,858.83, bolstered by gains in technology and property stocks.

On the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the SSE Composite Index edged up 24.14 points, or 0.63 percent, to 3,863.89, continuing its modest recovery trend.

Elsewhere in the region, Taiwan's TWSE Index rose 386.26 points, or 1.41 percent, to 27,688.63, and South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index gained 65.80 points, or 1.76 percent, to 3,814.69. Indonesia's IDX Composite advanced 173.32 points, or 2.19 percent, to close at 8,088.98, while India's S&P BSE Sensex added 411.18 points, or 0.49 percent, to 84,363.37.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 improved 36.60 points, or 0.41 percent, to 9,031.90, and the broader All Ordinaries index gained 31.40 points, or 0.34 percent, to 9,324.60. New Zealand's S&P/NZX 50 rose 55.76 points, or 0.42 percent, to finish at 13,344.96.

In contrast, a few regional markets eased. Singapore's STI Index slipped 27.27 points, or 0.63 percent, to 4,328.93, while Malaysia's FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI dipped 5.11 points, or 0.32 percent, to 1,607.18.

In Africa, the Top 40 USD Net TRI Index in Johannesburg gained 84.79 points, or 1.32 percent, to 6,484.09, while in the Middle East, Egypt's EGX 30 added 65.50 points, or 0.17 percent, to 37,975.10.  In Israel the TA-125 index climbed 26.09 points, or 0.80 percent, to 3,281.66.

Overall, global equities rallied as investors grew more confident about steady corporate earnings and easing inflation pressures in major economies. Analysts said the strong performance in Asia helped set a positive tone for the week ahead, with attention now turning to U.S. economic data and corporate results expected later in the week.

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Friday 17 October 2025 | Wall Street ends week higher, global markets slide on growth concerns | Big News Network.com