Stock markets soar after last week's rout

Global stock markets rebounded strongly yesterday after last week's historic sell-off as governments from Europe to Australia to the US intensified efforts to ease a financial crisis that threatened to throw the world into recession.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 3.7 percent, or 73 points, to 2073.57. It had dropped 3.4 percent by midday in volatile trading but a buying spree by State-owned financial institutions pushed the index up.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, which tumbled more than 7 percent on Friday, soared 1515 points, or 10.2 percent, to finish at 16312.

Australian and Singapore indices jumped more than 5 percent, while South Korea added around 3.8 percent. India's Sensex rose 7.64 percent.

In Japan, where the Nikkei 225 tanked nearly 10 percent on Friday to close out its worst week in history, trading was closed for a public holiday.

As markets opened in Europe, Britain's FTSE-100 shot up 8.3 percent, Germany's DAX climbed 11.4 percent and France's CAC-40 advanced 11.2 percent.

Wall Street also surged yesterday, as investors rushed into stocks after eight sessions of devastating losses, hoping that the stock market is finding some footing following pledges by governments to further aid the banking sector, including plans by the Treasury to buy US bank stocks.

The major stock indices surged more than 6 percent, including the Dow Jones Industrial, which at times jumped more than 500 points.

A rebound had been expected at some point after the Dow lost nearly 2400 points over eight sessions. But the gains don't necessarily signal that the market is now finished with the intense volatility of recent weeks.

Dave Rovelli, managing director of US equity trading at Canaccord Adams in New York, said that while the market had been expecting a snapback rally after steep declines logged since last month, sustainable gains could prove more elusive.

"Everybody knew that we were going to have an up day eventually," he said. "When everybody expects something it never really comes true."

He said that while he expects a rally, it doesn't necessarily signal an end of the market's troubles.

Financials helped lead yesterday's advance in Asia, with leading Chinese lender Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, or ICBC, soaring 13.6 percent in the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Leading Australian banks such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and ANZ Banking Group Ltd were also up sharply. Commodity issues gained as well.

Oil prices recovered, with light, sweet crude for November delivery up $3.33 at $81.03. The contract fell $8.89 on Friday to $77.70, the lowest since Sept 10, 2007.
Questions:

1. Why did the Shanghai Compostite Index rise?

2. Which Asian stock market jumped the most?

3. What did Dave Rovelli warn?

Answers:

1. A buying spree by State-owned financial institutions pushed the index up.

2. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, by 10.2 percent.

3. He said that while he expected a rally, it doesn't necessarily signal an end of the market's troubles.