In New York stocks rose despite grim GDP data which showed that consumer spending fell at the fastest pace in the third quarter, since 1980.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 122 points, up 1.36%, at 9,113.

The S&P 500 added1.85% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.74%.

Finfacts Report: US GDP fell at 0.3% annual rate in Q3 2008; Consumer spending plunged at the sharpest rate since 1980 - 28 years ago

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment insurance remained steady last week, at an elevated level indicates recessionary conditions.

The US Department of Labor reported Thursday that initial filings for state jobless benefits rested at a seasonally adjusted 479,000 for the week ended Oct. 25.

Live US Indices

In Europe, the Stoxx 600 increased 0.7%

National benchmarks rose in 13 of the 18 western European markets. The FTSE 100 added 0.4%; Germany's DAX added 3% and France's CAC 40 fell 1.3%.

In Dublin, the ISEQ Index rose 3.40%.

Elan fell 16% after a report of a Tysabri MS drug patient death. from the rare PML brain disease.

Anglo Irish rose 10% and CRH jumped over 8%.

Europe -benchmarks

Irish Share Prices

Euribor Rates

Oil

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, oil for December delivery is trading at $64.64 down $2.86 from Wednesday's close. In London, Brent crude is trading at $62.34 a barrel down $3.13 from Wednesday.

Currencies

The euro is trading at $1.2894 and £0.7887.

The dollar traded at a record low $1.6038 per euro on July 15th.

For live currency updates, check the right-hand column of the Finfacts home page.