US markets surge on housing news
18-03-2009
US stocks surged as an unexpected leap in housing starts pushed Home Depot and other retailers higher. A rise of nearly 4 percent in US crude oil futures boosted energy shares. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 178 points, or 2.48 percent, to 7,395. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 24 points, or 3.21 percent, to 778. The Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 58 points, or 4.14 percent, to 1,462.
