(Adds close of U.S. markets)
* MSCI’s all-country world index up 0.4%
* MSCI, Dow, S&P 500, STOXX 600 hit records
* China Q1 GDP grows record 18.3%
* Global asset performance http://tmsnrt.rs/2yaDPgn
* World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
By Herbert Lash and Simon Jessop
NEW YORK/LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) – Gold prices hit a
seven-week high and global stocks scaled new records on Friday
after strong U.S. and Chinese economic data bolstered
expectations of a solid global recovery from the coronavirus
pandemic.
Government stimulus, strong corporate earnings from U.S.
banks and in Europe, along with signs of economic recovery in
countries leading the COVID-19 vaccination race have all helped
push stock market indexes to new heights this week.
MSCI’s broadest gauge of world stocks rose
0.42% to an all-time peak, lifted by surging European shares and
lesser gains on Wall Street where both the Dow Industrial and
benchmark S&P 500 posted their fourth week of successive gains.
As long as the strong economic rebound, tremendous fiscal
and monetary support and progress on vaccine distribution…
