New York - US
stocks rose at least 0.4 per cent Thursday, after increases on the two previous days, buoyed by the bailed-out Citigroup's optimistic outlook. Citigroup chief executive Vikram Pandit projected growth in the bank's return on assets in its core businesses in 2010. The company is also eyeing the end of government oversight as
Washington plans to sell its Citigroup shares, purchased as part of the 2008-2008 massive government rescue, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The blue-chip
Dow Jones Industrial Average added 44.51 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 10,611.84. The broader Standard and Poor's 500 Index climbed 4.63 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 1,150.24. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 9.51 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 2,368.46.
The US
currency was off against the euro at 73.057 euro cents from 73.23 euro cents on Wednesday. The dollar rose against the Japanese currency to 90.69 yen from 90.51 yen.
