NEW YORK Men's Nike Air VaporMax Grey White UK , May 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended modestly higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 eking out its tenth closing record for 2015, as investors expected the Federal Reserve would delay rate hikes following the release of a batch of generally downbeat economic data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.34 point, or less than 0.01 percent, to 18,285.74. The S&P 500 increased 4.97 points, or 0.23 percent Men's Nike Air VaporMax Black Gold UK , to 2,130.82. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 19.05 points, or 0.38 percent, to 5,090.79.
In the week ending May 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims was 274,000 Men's Nike Air Presto Safari Black Yellow UK , an increase of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level, slightly exceeding market estimates, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday. For the week, the four-week average for jobless claims decreased to 266, 250, its lowest level since 2000.
U.S. existing-home sales slowed in April but remained above an annual sales pace of 5 million for the second straight month Men's Nike Air Max Plus TN Ultra White Black UK , according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing- home sales declined 3.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in April from an upwardly revised 5.21 million in March.
"The housing market recovery has been bumpy and unremarkable thus far. With home prices rising and consumers spending restrained, the housing market is likely to continue to plod along, disappointing those looking for housing to be a substantial contributor to growth any time soon," said Sophia Kearney-Lederman, an economic analyst at FTN Financial, in a note.
Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell from 54.1 in April to 53.8 in May Men's Nike Air Max TN Black Blue UK , signaling the weakest improvement in overall business conditions since the start of 2014.
A whole batch of disappointing economic reports was released since the Fed's April meeting, leading many analysts to expect a rate hike in September or next January.
Markets are also keeping a close eye on Fed Chair Janet Yellen' s speech scheduled on Friday for possible new clues of an upcoming rate hike.
Overseas, Chinese equities extended strong growth for fourth straight day on Thursday, with the Shanghai Composite Index jumping 1.87 percent, as China's weak manufacturing figures in April triggered market expectation for more stimulus measures.
In corporate news, Best Buy reported adjusted quarterly profit of 37 cents per share, above estimates Men's Nike Air Max TN Red Navy UK , with revenue beating forecasts as well. Its shares surged 3.94 percent to 35.11 U.S. dollars apiece Thursday.
The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street's fear gauge, decreased 5.98 percent to end at 12.11 Thursday.
In other markets, oil prices gained Thursday as market expected rising demand will ease the supply glut.
Light, sweet crude for July delivery moved up 1.74 dollars to settle at 60.72 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for July delivery moved up 1.51 dollars to close at 66.54 dollars a barrel.
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against other major currencies as economic data from the country came out overall negative.
In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.1133 dollars from 1.1118 dollars in the previous session Women's Nike Air Max TN Black Pink UK , while the dollar bought 120.97 Japanese yen, lower than 121.16 yen of the previous session.
Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell slightly as U.S. economic data came out better than expected.
The most active gold contract for June delivery fell 4.6 dollars, or 0.38 percent, to settle at 1,204.10 dollars per ounce.
Indonesia is "99 percent" certain to be named the host of the 2019 Asian Games after Vietnam's withdrawal, the influential Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said Thursday.
Vietnam had originally been picked to host the 2019 edition of the games, the world's -biggest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games 2017 Men's Nike Air Max Flair Black Grey UK , but announced in April it was withdrawing for financial reasons.
Indonesia is now considered the favorite to stage the games, and during a visit to the -capital Jakarta OCA Vice-President Wei Jizhong gave a strong indication the Southeast Asian nation's bid was on course for success.
"It's 99 percent it will be Indonesia," Wei told reporters after meeting president-elect Joko Widodo, known by his nickname Jokowi, adding he was confident the country could deliver a "wonderful" games.
"We consider that Jakarta already meets all the requirements of the OCA for hosting the Asian Games."
Indonesian officials earlier suggested the games could be staged in the country's second biggest city Surabaya, but Wei has said that -Jakarta would be more suitable.
Widodo, who was last month declared the winner of the country's tight presidential election Men's Nike Air Max 97 OG GS All White UK , said, "We are completely ready ... If we start working on the infrastructure now, there won't be any problem."
The new host will be announced in September in Incheon, South Korea, during its stint as host of the games.
Previously, sources told AFP that two other countries were vying to host the games.
Indonesia built new sporting facilities in 2011 to host the Southeast Asian Games.
Southeast Asia's biggest nation has staged the Asian Games once before, in Jakarta in 1962.
(Agencies)
by Ronald Ssekandi Men's Nike Air Max 97 Ultra Triple Black UK , Yuan Qing
NTOROKO, Uganda, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- This year has seen China pour huge financial resources in Uganda to help the East African country fast track its economic development.
Deep in rural Uganda, it is common to see Chinese engineers with their heavy earth moving equipment dig up roads or preparing to construct huge hydro power plants.
Far from the oil resource and trade, China is now targeting transport and energy infrastructure which according to economic experts are major bottlenecks to unlocking Uganda's economic potential.
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