2nd Greece bailout sends world stocks higher

[July 22, 2011]  TOKYO (AP) -- World stock markets climbed Friday as investors signaled their approval of a massive new bailout plan for Greece and broader measures to tackle the continent's debt problems.

A rally that began the day in Asia extended to Europe, with all major markets in positive territory.

In early European trading, London's FTSE 100 rose 0.9 percent to 5,950.06. Germany's DAX added 0.6 percent to 7,334.55, and France's CAC-40 jumped 1.2 percent to 3,863.74.

Wall Street was set for a higher open. Dow futures were up 0.4 percent at 12,745 and S&P 500 futures rose 0.3 percent to 1,346.80.

At an emergency meeting in Brussels Thursday, European officials agreed to give Greece a second rescue package worth euro109 billion ($155 billion). They also plan to lower interest rates and lengthen payback terms for loans to Greece, as well as those made to Ireland and Portugal.

The deal resolves a political deadlock between Europe's top economic authorities over how to save Greece that had investors worried the debt crisis would spin out of control.

European officials also gave new powers to the region's bailout fund, allowing it to provide credit to struggling countries before a crisis flares up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said European officials want to tackle the "root" of the debt crisis.

Analysts said the negotiations were more constructive than expected.

"It finally shows determination and leadership on the part of European leaders to address these problems," a Credit Suisse report said Friday. "That is significant, in our view. And in the near term that could provide a much-needed boost to confidence."

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average advanced 1.2 percent to 10,132.11, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shot up 2.1 percent to 22,444.80, and South Korea's Kospi added 1.2 percent to 2,171.23.

In Tokyo, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. jumped 3.3 percent, while rival Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. finished up 3.6 percent.

National Australia Bank Ltd. climbed 2.5 percent, and Woori Finance Holdings Co. rose 1.4 percent in Seoul.

Investors also bought Asian tech shares after Microsoft Corp. reported record fourth-quarter revenue Thursday. Sony Corp. rose 1.1 percent in Tokyo, and Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. added 1 percent.

On Wall Street Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 152.50 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 12,724.41.

The broader S&P 500 index rose 17.96 points, or 1.4 percent, to 1,343.80. The Nasdaq composite index rose 20.20 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,834.43.

In currencies, the dollar rose slightly to 78.66 yen from 78.52 yen late Thursday. The euro stood at $1.442 from $1.437.

Optimism about the Greek bailout deal drove oil prices toward $100 a barrel in Asia.

Benchmark oil for September delivery was up 29 cents to $99.42 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude rose 73 cents to settle at $99.13 on Thursday.

In London, Brent crude rose 37 cents to $117.88 per barrel on the ICE Futures.

[Associated Press; By TOMOKO A. HOSAKA]

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