Morning Report 3 Jan 19 - Stocks start new year on the front foot

US sharemarkets rose on Thursday to record highs. Investors were encouraged by the latest stimulus measures in China and easing of trade tensions. US President Trump said that he will travel to Beijing to begin talks on the next phase of trade talks after the first phase deal is signed. At the close of trade the Dow Jones index was up by 330 points or 1.2%. The S&P500 index rose by 0.8%. And the Nasdaq index gained almost 120 points or 1.3%.

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