NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rising in midday trading after the European Central Bank moved to support that region’s lenders and U.S. retailers reported stronger sales for September.
The ECB said it would extend more emergency loans to banks. It also said it would buy bank bonds to make it easier for them to lend. Investors have been worried the banks could get hurt if the Greek government defaults on its debt, causing its bonds to lose value.
Target, Nordstrom and other retailers reported sales that beat Wall Street’s expectations. The gains suggested the U.S is not headed for another recession.
The Dow was up 111 points, or 1 percent, to 11,051 shortly before noon. The S&P rose 14, or 1.3 percent, to 1,158. The Nasdaq rose 31, or 1.3 percent, to 2,491.
