Major stock indexes on Wall Street rose on Thursday, and Nasdaq Composite touched a three-week high against the background of the good results of the quarterly reports from companies such as Citigroup (C), eBay (EBAY) and Netflix (NFLX). Netflix grew by 17.94% to a record high of $ 115.73, a day after the company reported that nearly a third added more subscribers than expected in the second quarter.

Investor sentiment also improved after the Greek Parliament voted in favor of the austerity measures.

As it became known today, the number of Americans who first applied for unemployment benefits fell for the first time in three weeks. This is a sign of a healthy labor market. Primary applications for unemployment benefits, the gauge of layoffs, fell by 15,000 and reached a seasonally adjusted 281,000 in the week ended July 11, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists expected 285,000 initial claims.

In addition, a report Philadelphia Fed in July business activity index worsened significantly, thus reaching the level of 5.7 points compared to 15.2 points in June. It is worth noting that many economists had expected a decline of this indicator to the level of 12.0 points.

At the same time, self-builders in the market of newly built, single-family homes in July reached a level of 60, showed housing market index (HMI) of the National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo, published today. At the same time, the June reading was revised higher by one point to 60. Last time HMI reached this level in November 2005.

Most components of the index DOW closed in positive territory (25 of 30). Outsider were shares McDonald's Corp. (MCD, -1.17%). Most remaining shares rose Microsoft Corporation (MSFT, + 1.99%).

All sectors of the index S & P ended the day higher. The largest growth sector proved conglomerates (+ 1.5%).

At the close:

Dow + 0.39% 18,120.25 +70.08

Nasdaq + 1.26% 5,163.18 +64.24

S & P + 0.80% 2,124.29 +16.89

Major U.S. stock-indexes rose sharply on Thursday, with the Nasdaq composite touching a three-week high, as bellwether companies such as Citigroup (C), eBay (EBAY) and Netflix (NFLX) reported strong results. Netflix rose as much as 16.6% to a record high of $114.45, a day after the company added nearly a third more subscribers than expected in the second quarter. Investor confidence was also bolstered after the Greek parliament voted in favor of austerity measures to reopen talks for a third bailout.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (22 of 30). Top looser - The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, -1.26%). Top gainer - E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD, +1.53).

All S&P index sectors in positive area. Top gainer - Utilities (+0.9%).

At the moment:

Dow 18020.00 +28.00 +0.16%

S&P 500 2115.50 +11.25 +0.53%

Nasdaq 100 4575.00 +38.50 +0.85%

10 Year yield 2,34% -0,01

Oil 51.18 -0.23 -0.45%

Gold 1143.20 -4.20 -0.37%

Polish equity market continued its upward trajectory on Thursday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, added 1.56%. All sectors, but for oil and gas industry (-0.41%), did well with telecommunication stocks (+5.70%) outperforming.

The large-cap companies' measure, the WIG30 Index, recorded a 1.73% growth. Almost all index components generated positive returns. The exception were BOGDANKA (WSE: LWB), PGNIG (WSE: PGN), GTC (WSE: GTC) and PKN ORLEN (WSE: PKN), declining 0.54%-1.45%. On the other side of the ledger, ORANGE POLSKA (WSE: OPL) became the biggest gainer with a 7.43% advance, followed by PGE (WSE: PGE) and SYNTHOS (WSE: SNS), which quotations went up by 4.28% and 4.20% respectively.

Stock indices closed higher as the European Central Bank (ECB) raised the amount of emergency funding (ELA) to Greek banks by €900 million for one week. The amount the Greek central bank can lend its banks totals around €89.5 billion.

The Greek parliament has approved reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in return for the third bailout programme on Wednesday.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday that European Union finance ministers agreed to provide a €7 billion bridge loan to Greece until the third Greek bailout programme will be set up. The bridge loan would come from the European Financial Stabilization Mechanism.

Greece could use the bridge loan to repay ECB and IMF loans.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone showed some weakness. Eurozone's final consumer price index was flat in June, in line with the previous estimate, after a 0.2% increase in May.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's final consumer price inflation fell to 0.2% in June from 0.3% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Eurozone's consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco declined to an annual rate of 0.8% in June from 0.9% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,796.45 +42.70 +0.63 %

DAX 11,716.76 +177.10 +1.53 %

CAC 40 5,121.5 +74.26 +1.47 %

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its employment rate for the first quarter on Thursday. The employment rate in the OECD area increased to 66.1% in the first quarter from 65.9% in the fourth quarter.

The employment rate in the Eurozone was up 0.2% to 64.2% in the first quarter, the employment rate in the United Kingdom rose by 0.4% to 72.6%, while the rate in the United States climbed 0.1% to 68.6%.

According to a senior banker, Greek banks will reopen on Monday.

Greek banks have been closed since June 29.

The European Central Bank (ECB) raised the amount of emergency funding (ELA) to Greek banks by €900 million for one week.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday that European Union finance ministers agreed to provide a €7 billion bridge loan to Greece until the third Greek bailout programme will be set up. The bridge loan would come from the European Financial Stabilization Mechanism.

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank released its manufacturing index on Thursday. The index dropped to 5.7 in July from 15.2 in June, missing expectations for a decline to 12.0.

A reading above zero indicates expansion.

The decline was driven by lower demand for manufactured goods. The new orders index slid to 7.1 in July from 15.2 in June.

The shipments index plunged to 4.4 in July from 14.3 in June.

The prices paid index climbed to 20.2 in July from 17.2 in June, while the prices received index were down to 1.7 from 4.8.

The number of employees index declined to -0.4 in July from 4.8 last month.

According to the report, the future general activity index rose to 41.5 in July from 39.7 in June. It was the highest level since January.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its housing market index for the U.S. on Thursday. The NAHB housing market index remained unchanged at 60 in July, in line with expectations. It was the highest level since November 2005.

June's figure was revised up from 59.

A level above 50.0 is considered positive, below indicates a negative outlook.

The increase was driven by a rise in two of three components of the index. The current sales conditions subindex rose one point to 66 in June, the subindex measuring sales expectations in the next six months climbed two points to 71, while the buyer traffic subindex was down one point to 43.

"The fact that builder confidence has returned to levels not seen since 2005 shows that housing continues to improve at a steady pace, " the NAHB Chairman Tom Woods said. He added that housing market is expected to continue to recover in the second half of the year.

The NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe noted that the current reading was driven by "stronger sales in both the new and existing home markets" and by continued job growth.

The Italian statistical office Istat released its trade data for Italy on Thursday. Italy' trade surplus rose to a seasonally adjusted €4.27 billion in May from €3.63 billion in April.

Exports climbed 1.5% in May, while imports fell 0.3%.

On a yearly basis, exports climbed 2.0% in May, while imports rose 0.5%.

The trade surplus with the EU was a seasonally adjusted €1.29 billion in May, while the trade surplus with non-EU countries was €2.98 billion.

The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said at a press conference on Thursday:

• The central bank will continue its bond-buying programme until September 2016 or until 2% inflation target will be reached;
  
• Quantitative easing continues "to proceed smoothly";
  
• Lower oil prices should support disposable incomes in Europe;
  
• The slowdown in emerging markets weighs on recovery in the Eurozone;
  
• Demand for loans from companies rose;
  
• Governments should implement structural reforms;
  
• The central bank continues to act on the assumption Greece is and will continue to remain in the Eurozone;
  
• Liquidity provision to Greece was never meant to be unlimited and unconditional;
  
• The Eurosystem of central banks' total exposure to Greece is €130 billion;
  
• Greece will repay ECB loans by July 20.
  
  

The European Central Bank (ECB) raised the amount of emergency funding (ELA) to Greek banks by €900 million over one week on Thursday, the ECB President Mario Draghi said at a press conference.

The amount the Greek central bank can lend its banks totals around €89.5 billion.

U.S. stock-index futures rose as investors weighed corporate earnings and as Greece's approval of austerity measures eased concern of a spillover effect from its crisis.

Nikkei 20,600.12 +136.79 +0.67%

Hang Seng 25,162.78 +107.02 +0.43%

Shanghai Composite 3,824.19 +18.49 +0.49%

FTSE 6,795.82 +42.07 +0.62%

CAC 5,143.58 +96.34 +1.91%

DAX 11,767.63 +227.97 +1.98%

Crude oil $51.66 (+0.54%)

Gold $1143.00 (-0.38%)

Spain's Economy Ministry released its trade data on Thursday. Spain's trade deficit narrowed to €1.65 billion in May from €1.75 billion in April.

Exports climbed at an annual rate of 1.9% in May, while imports rose 1.3%.

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

Statistics Canada released foreign investment figures on Thursday. Foreign investors reduced C$5.45 billion of Canadian securities in May, after a purchase of C$16.73 billion in April.

April's figure was revised up from a purchase of C$12.94 billion.

Canadian investors purchased C$5.6 billion of foreign securities in May, mainly corporate securities.

Upgrades:

Intel (INTC) upgraded from Hold to Buy at Needham, target $37

Downgrades:

General Motors (GM) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays

Other:

Intel (INTC) reiterated at Market Perform at Cowen, target raised from $32 to $33

The U.S. Labor Department released its jobless claims figures on Thursday. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending July 11 in the U.S. fell by 15,000 to 281,000 from 296,000 in the previous week. The previous week's reading was revised up from 297,000.

Analysts had expected the number of initial jobless claims to be 285,000.

Jobless claims remained below 300,000 the 15th straight week. This threshold is associated with the strengthening of the labour market.

Continuing jobless claims declined by 112,000 to 2,215,000 in the week ended July 04.

Company reported Q2 profit of $1.45 per share versus $1.35 consensus. Revenues rose 0.2% year/year to $19.47 bln versus $17.17 bln consensus.

C rose to $57.87 (+2.50%) on the premarket, reached new 52- week high.

Company reported Q2 profit of $1.64 per share versus $1.58 consensus. Revenues rose 11.3% year/year to $36.26 bln versus $35.69 bln consensus.

Company raised guidance for FY15: EPS to $6.25-6.35 from $6.15-6.30 versus $6.26 consensus and revenue to $154 bln from $143 bln versus $144.2 bln consensus.

UNH rose to $126.60 (+0.59%) on the premarket, reached new historical high.

Company reported Q2 profit of $4.75 per share versus $3.94 consensus. Revenues fell 0.6% year/year to $9.07 bln versus $8.78 bln consensus.

GS fell to $211.81 (-0.54%). on the premarket.

Stock indices traded higher on the results of the Greek parliament's vote. The Greek parliament has approved reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in return for the third bailout programme on Wednesday. 32 Syriza members, including former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, voted against new reforms.

Greek Prime Minster Alexis Tsipras said before the parliament that there is no alternative.

The ECB Governing Council will meet in Frankfurt on Thursday, and the German parliament on Friday votes on the resumption of talks on financial aid to Greece.

The European Central Bank will release its interest rate decision today. It is unlikely that there will be changes in the monetary policy. Market participants will closely monitor the press conference, looking for new details regarding Greece.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone showed some weakness. Eurozone's final consumer price index was flat in June, in line with the previous estimate, after a 0.2% increase in May.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's final consumer price inflation fell to 0.2% in June from 0.3% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Eurozone's consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco declined to an annual rate of 0.8% in June from 0.9% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Eurozone's unadjusted trade surplus slid to €18.8 billion in May from €24.9 billion in April.

Exports rose at an annual rate of 3.0% in May, while imports were flat.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,788.93 +35.18 +0.52 %

DAX 11,718.1 +178.44 +1.55 %

CAC 40 5,128.53 +81.29 +1.61 %

Eurostat released its final consumer price inflation data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's final consumer price index was flat in June, in line with the previous estimate, after a 0.2% increase in May.

On a yearly basis, Eurozone's final consumer price inflation fell to 0.2% in June from 0.3% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Eurozone's consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco declined to an annual rate of 0.8% in June from 0.9% in May, in line with the previous estimate.

Eurostat released its trade data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone's unadjusted trade surplus slid to €18.8 billion in May from €24.9 billion in April.

Exports rose at an annual rate of 3.0% in May, while imports were flat.

The Federal Statistical Office released its retail sales data for Switzerland on Thursday. Retail sales in Switzerland dropped at an annual rate of 1.8% in May, after a 1.6% increase in April.

Sales of food, beverages and tobacco fell at an annual rate of 0.5% in May, while non-food sales plunged 2.2%.

On a monthly basis, retail sales fell by 1.4% in May, after a 2.1% increase in April. Sales of food, beverages and tobacco were down 1.2% in May, while non-food sales dropped 2.1%.

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said on Wednesday that the Fed could start raising its interest rate right now.

"The economy can handle an increase in the fed funds rate. A small increase in interest rates from zero is not tight monetary policy, and with the economic progress we've made and that I expect to continue, monetary policy can take a step back from the emergency measure of zero interest rates," she said.

Mester expects the U.S. economy to expand 2.75-3% by the rest of this year and next year. She added that the situation in China and Greece should have a "limited impact on the U.S. economy because our direct exposure via trade and banking is limited".

Mester is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee this year.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams reiterated Wednesday that the Fed could start to raise its interest rate this year as the U.S. economy continued to expand.

"I still believe this will be the year for lift-off, and I still believe that waiting too long to raise rates poses its own risks," he said.

But he added that he cannot tell the date.

San Francisco Fed president said that he does not expect the situation in China and Greece will have a negative impact on the U.S. economy.

Williams pointed out that lower oil prices had less of a positive impact on the U.S. economy, and the reasons are unclear.

Williams is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee this year.

The Greek parliament has approved reforms demanded by Greece's creditors in return for the third bailout programme on Wednesday. 32 Syriza members, including former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, voted against new reforms.

Greek Prime Minster Alexis Tsipras said before the parliament that there is no alternative.

The ECB Governing Council will meet in Frankfurt on Thursday, and the German parliament on Friday votes on the resumption of talks on financial aid to Greece.

The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book on Wednesday. The Fed was optimistic that the U.S. economy is on right track.

According to the report, economic activity expanded in all regions.

Manufacturing activity was uneven.

Consumer spending rose, housing market was steady, while lending activity increased.

Employment was improving in each of the Fed's 12 districts, while wage pressure remained "modest".

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday urged Germany to boost its investment in its public infrastructure.

"Boosting public investment, women's employment, and competition in the services sector now would help face the challenges that loom further ahead," IMF mission chief for Germany, Enrica Detragiache, said.

The IMF expects Germany's economy to expand 1.6% in 2015 and 1.7% in 2016 due to a weaker euro and lower energy prices.

The lender forecast the German current account surplus to rise to 8.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year from 7.6% of GDP in 2014, caused by weak domestic demand and saving in the economy.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) released its consumer price inflation data on late Wednesday. Consumer prices in New Zealand rose 0.4% in the second quarter, missing expectations for a 0.6% gain, after a 0.3% decline in the first quarter.

On a yearly basis, consumer price inflation increased 0.3% in the second quarter, missing forecasts of the 0.4% rise, after a 0.1% gain in the first quarter.

Consumer prices slightly rose but remained below the central bank's target range of 1%-3% as prices for petrol and for international airfares remained low.

The increase in consumer price inflation was driven by higher cigarettes and tobacco prices, caused by the rise in excise duty in January.

U.S. stock indices declined moderately after Fed Chair Yellen said that overseas tensions were unlikely to influence the U.S. economy. She also said that the central bank is on track to raise rates this year. Yellen said she expects stable economic growth throughout the rest of 2015, which would justify a rate hike; however she didn't not mention the timing of a liftoff.

A report by the Federal Reserve showed that U.S. industrial production slightly rose in June. Production excluding motor vehicles advanced by 0.3% after a 0.1% decline reported previously.

Meanwhile, U.S. companies raised producer prices; this means that inflation gradually moves from historically low levels. The seasonally adjusted producer price index rose 0.4% in June after a 0.5% increase in May.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.41 points to 18050.17. The S&P 500 index declined 1.55 points, or 0.1%, to 2107.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 5.95 points, or 0.1%, to 5098.94.

In Asia this morning Hong Kong Hang Seng climbed 0.03%, or 8.67 points, to 25,064.43. China Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.99%, or 37.65 points, to 3,843.35. Meanwhile the Nikkei rose 0.47%, or 96.18 points, to 20,559.51.

Asian stock indices are taking advantage of progress seen around Greece's crisis. Greek parliament passed a reform bill, which was demanded by the country's international lenders.

Japanese stocks advanced amid Janet Yellen's speech. She said that the central bank was preparing to raise its benchmark rate, which had been kept at 0.25% since December 2008. A weaker yen was also a positive factor for stocks.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

HANG SENG 25,010.19 -110.72 -0.44%

S&P/ASX 200 5,636.2 +58.80 +1.05%

TOPIX 1,646.41 +7.70 +0.47%

SHANGHAI COMP 3,774.87 -149.62 -3.81%

CAC 40 5,047.24 +14.77 +0.29 %

Xetra DAX 11,539.66 +22.76 +0.20 %

S&P 500 2,107.4 -1.55 -0.07%

NASDAQ Composite 5,098.94 -5.95 -0.12%

Dow Jones 18,050.17 -3.41 -0.02%