Global stocks rise on Spain bets and data, euro flat

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global stocks rose on Monday on upbeat U.S. data and earnings and on bets Spain was close to asking for a bailout, but the lack of details on Madrid's next move kept the euro flat.

Data from China over the weekend showing a much higher-than-expected rate of growth in exports offered support to risk markets, but caution remained ahead of data due on Thursday expected to show the world's second-largest economy concluded a seventh straight quarter of slowing growth in September.

Following last week's decline, the largest in four months, U.S. stocks rose as Citigroup posted better-than-expected earnings and September retail sales signaled steady U.S. growth.

Citigroup shares rallied 5.5 percent to close at $36.66, the highest in more than six months.

"After big declines last week we have strong Citi earnings and positive European news. In the short term it takes European stress out and allows markets to focus on earnings and the U.S. consumer," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial in Newark, New Jersey.

She said the sales data is encouraging as the retail-heavy fourth quarter gets under way. Data last month showed U.S. consumer confidence jumped to its highest in seven months in September.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> rose 95.38 points, or 0.72 percent, to 13,424.23. The S&P 500 <.spx> gained 11.54 points, or 0.81 percent, to 1,440.13. The Nasdaq Composite <.ixic> added 20.07 points, or 0.66 percent, to 3,064.18.

The S&P is less than 2 percent below its 2012 closing high hit a month ago.

An MSCI index of global shares <.world> added 0.6 percent while the FTSEurofirst 300 index <.fteu3> of top European shares closed up 0.46 percent. U.S. dollar-denominated Nikkei futures rose 1.1 percent.

Spain could ask for financial aid from the euro zone next month and if it does, the request would likely be dealt with alongside a revised loan program for Greece and a bailout for Cyprus, euro zone officials said.

The euro surrendered early gains to trade little changed against the U.S. dollar as traders looked for clarity on the potential bailout for Spain.

Uncertainty over when Madrid will ask for financial aid and whether Greece can agree on new austerity measures with its lenders has discouraged some investors from buying the euro in recent weeks.

At the same time, expectations that the euro zone common currency will rally once Spain seeks a rescue package have kept market players from betting heavily against it.

The euro was trading up 0.02 percent at $1.2954.

Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the deal, signs that Greece may get a fresh aid package prompted big gains in Greek debt. The benchmark Greek 10-year bond yield was down on the day at 17.55 percent, the lowest since August 2011.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note was down 3/32, the yield at 1.6664 percent.

Demand for Greek bonds has been steadily improving as a result of recent comments from German officials, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, about the Athens government's efforts on economic reform. This has eased fears that Greece would ultimately be forced out of the euro zone.

Benchmark copper touched a one-month low on the London Metal Exchange on concerns about demand from China before bouncing back to trade flat on the day. Basic materials overall were posting losses, with the Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB commodities index <.trjcrb> off 0.65 percent.

Brent futures jumped back from early losses to trade 1 percent higher at $115.77 per barrel after sliding 75 cents in the previous session. U.S. oil was trading off 11 cents at $91.75 after earlier falling more than 2 percent.

(Additional reporting by Nick Olivari; Editing by James Dalgleish and Dan Grebler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/asian-shares-ease-corporate-earnings-worry-001634508--finance.html

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