NEW YORK: US stocks jumped 2.5 percent Friday, joining a global rally after surprise stimulus by the Bank of Japan raised confidence of further central bank moves to boost growth.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 396.66 points (2.47 percent) at 16,466.30.
The broad-based S&P 500 advanced 46.88 (2.48 percent) to 1,940.24, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index rose 107.28 (2.38 percent) to 4,613.95.
The Bank of Japan adopted a below-zero interest rate policy, essentially charging lenders to park their cash with it. The move helped spur stocks higher in Europe and Asia.
Stocks picked up further momentum following government data showing the US economy grew an anemic 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Analysts said the weak growth reduced the chances the Federal Reserve will move quickly to hike interest again.
“This basically sets the tone that central banks are going to have to boost the economy,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial.
