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| Shares rise on renewed optimism | Shares rise on renewed optimism |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| European and Asian shares have risen strongly, buoyed by US stocks closing at their highest level so far in 2009 overnight on Wall Street. | European and Asian shares have risen strongly, buoyed by US stocks closing at their highest level so far in 2009 overnight on Wall Street. |
| Lifted by the latest signs of economic recovery in the US, the UK's FTSE 100 index was up 1.3% in morning trade, while Japan's Nikkei ended up 0.5%. | |
| The rises came after America's Dow Jones index closed Tuesday up 0.6%, to its highest level since October 2008. | The rises came after America's Dow Jones index closed Tuesday up 0.6%, to its highest level since October 2008. |
| Investor sentiment was boosted by a big rise in US retail sales in August. | Investor sentiment was boosted by a big rise in US retail sales in August. |
| I think investors should sort of catch themselves now and not get over-confident Gregg Fisher, Gerstein Fisher | I think investors should sort of catch themselves now and not get over-confident Gregg Fisher, Gerstein Fisher |
| Confidence was further increased by comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, who said the US recession was now "very likely over". | |
| The FTSE's rise was mirrored across Europe, where Germany's Dax had added 0.6% and France's Cac was up 0.5%. | |
| The main Australian share index had earlier closed up 2.2%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.8% and India's Sensex had advanced 1.1% in afternoon exchanges. | The main Australian share index had earlier closed up 2.2%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.8% and India's Sensex had advanced 1.1% in afternoon exchanges. |
| Cautious note | Cautious note |
| Official data showing that US retail sales rose 2.7% in August was warmly welcomed by the markets, because consumer spending is central to the US economy, accounting for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. | Official data showing that US retail sales rose 2.7% in August was warmly welcomed by the markets, because consumer spending is central to the US economy, accounting for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. |
| FTSE 100 INDEX - 16 Sept 2009*Chart shows local time | FTSE 100 INDEX - 16 Sept 2009*Chart shows local time |
| While the big rise was helped by the US "cash for clunkers" car scrappage scheme, which has now ended, retail sales excluding cars also increased by 1.1%, beating market expectations of a 0.4% gain. | While the big rise was helped by the US "cash for clunkers" car scrappage scheme, which has now ended, retail sales excluding cars also increased by 1.1%, beating market expectations of a 0.4% gain. |
| However, despite the share rises, Mr Benanke warned that the US economy still faced some hurdles before it could exit recession. | However, despite the share rises, Mr Benanke warned that the US economy still faced some hurdles before it could exit recession. |
| "It's still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time," he said. | "It's still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time," he said. |
| This cautious note was mirrored by a number of analysts. | This cautious note was mirrored by a number of analysts. |
| "Investors are always following the herd," said Gregg Fisher, chief investment officer at financial advisory firm Gerstein Fisher. | "Investors are always following the herd," said Gregg Fisher, chief investment officer at financial advisory firm Gerstein Fisher. |
| "I think investors should sort of catch themselves now and not get over-confident." | "I think investors should sort of catch themselves now and not get over-confident." |
| DAX INDEX - 16 Sept 2009*Chart shows local time | DAX INDEX - 16 Sept 2009*Chart shows local time |