Major US stocks rose significantly, as stronger-than-expected Chinese July trade data and the appreciation of the renminbi somewhat reassured investors worried about escalating trade tensions.

The Chinese currency strengthened slightly against the dollar on Thursday, as the People's Bank of China (NBK) set the yuan against the dollar higher than expected, which eased concerns that the protracted trade standoff between China and the U.S. would escalate into a currency war.

Also a relief for the market was the unexpected increase in Chinese exports in July and a less significant than expected decline in imports. This gave rise to optimism that concerns about a slowdown in global growth were greatly exaggerated, despite continued trade tensions between the US and China.

Market participants also received optimistic data on the US labor market: a Labor Department report indicated that the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly last week, suggesting that the labor market remains strong, even despite the economic slowdown. According to the report, initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 8,000 to 209,000, seasonally adjusted for the week ending August 3. The data for the previous week were revised to show 2,000 applications more than previously reported.

All DOW components recorded an increase (30 out of 30). The biggest gainers were Dow Inc. (DOW; + 3.90%).

All S&P sectors completed trading in positive territory. The largest growth was shown by the technology sector (+ 2.2%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,378.53 +371.46 + 1.43%

S&P 500 2,938.13 +54.13 + 1.88%

Nasdaq 100 8,039.16 +176.33 + 2.24%

U.S. stock-index futures rose on Thursday as upbeat China’s trade data for July and a steadying of yuan offered some comfort to investors worried over an escalation in trade tensions and signals pointing to a recession.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Apple (AAPL) initiated with an Equal Weight at Barclays

HP Inc. (HPQ) initiated with an Equal Weight at Barclays

Caterpillar (CAT) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; target lowered to $130

Walt Disney (DIS) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse

Lyft (LYFT) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Wedbush; target raised to $75

Lyft (LYFT) upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at Atlantic Equities

American International Group (AIG) reported Q2 FY 2019 earnings of $1.43 per share (versus $1.05 in Q2 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.16.

AIG rose to $55.52 (+2.04%) in pre-market trading.

Lyft (LYFT) reported Q2 FY 2019 loss of $0.68 per share, better than analysts’ consensus estimate of -$1.00.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $0.867 bln (+71.8% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.810 bln.

The company also issued upside guidance for Q3 FY 2019, projecting revenues of $0.900-$0.915 bln versus analysts’ consensus estimate of. $0.841 bln.

For FY 2019, the company projected revenues of $3.47-$3.50 bln versus prior outlook of $3.275-$3.30 bln and analysts’ consensus estimate of $3.32 bln.

LYFT rose to $65.15 (+8.06%) in pre-market trading.