NEW YORK - Wall Street shares vaulted higher, with investors optimistic that the US congress was on the verge of a deal on a massive rescue plan for the financial sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 196.89 points, or 1.82 per cent, to 11,022.06.
The Nasdaq composite added 30.89 points, or 1.43 per cent, to 2,186.57, and the Standard & Poor’s broad-market index increased 23.31 points, or 1.97 per cent, to 1,209.18.

LONDON - The London FTSE index rose 101.4 points, or 1.99 per cent, to close at 5,197.02 points.

FRANKFURT - The DAX added 120.16 points, or 1.99 per cent, to close at 6,173.03 points.

PARIS - The CAC 40 gained 112.27 points, or 2.73 per cent, to 4,226.81 points.

TOKYO - The Nikkei lost 108.5 points, or 0.9 per cent, to close at 12,006.53 points.

HONG KONG - The benchmark Hang Seng Index closed down 27.56 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 18,934.43.

WELLINGTON - The benchmark NZSX-50 index closed down 21.964 points, or 0.67 per cent, at 3237.715 points.

SYDNEY - The Australian stock market is expected to open stronger today after US political leaders struck an agreement in principle on a $US700 billion plan to revive the crippled financial system.
It is hoped both houses of US congress will vote on the plan within days.
Wall street and European markets have reacted positively to the news, with major indices recording gains of around two per cent.
At 0735 AEST, the Sydney Futures Exchange’s December Share Price Index contract was up 63 points at 5,057.
In news today, Greater Bendigo Gold Mines holds a general meeting.
Heritage Gold NZ, a company listed in both Australia and New Zealand, holds its annual general meeting in Auckland.
The Emissions Measurement and Information Systems conference continues in Sydney.
Yesterday, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 closed down 54.5 points, or 1.09 per cent, at 4927.4, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 47.4 points, or 0.95 per cent, to 4960.8.

NYMEX
Crude oil rebounded on hopes that the $US700 billion bank bailout plan would stabilise the teetering US economy and boost domestic energy demand.
New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, rose $US2.29 to settle at $US108.02 a barrel.
In London, November Brent crude rose $US2.15 to settle at $US104.60 a barrel.

COMEX
Gold prices fell as an agreement in principle on a US government financial rescue package prompted investors to sell safe-haven assets in favour of stocks.
Gold for December delivery fell $US13 to settle at $US882 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after earlier falling as low as $US868.80.
Other metals traded mixed. December silver fell 16.5 US cents to settle at $US13.275 an ounce, while December copper rose 2.8 US cents to settle at $US3.1345 a pound.