Polish equity market closed higher on Friday. The broad market measure, the WIG Index, surged by 0.47%. Except for telecommunications (-2.78%) and oil and gas sector (-0.62%), every sector in the WIG Index gained.

The large-cap stocks' measure, the WIG30 Index, advanced by 0.48%. In the index basket, ENEA (WSE: ENA) climbed by 4.77%, partially paring losses after five consecutive days of declines. CCC (WSE: CCC) recovered by 3.73%. Other top performers were PGE (WSE: PGE), ASSECO POLAND (WSE: ACP) and TAURON PE (WSE: TPE), which added 1.54%-1.94%. On the other side of the ledger, ORANGE POLSKA (WSE: OPL) fared the worst, plunging by 3.69%. It was followed by LPP (WSE: LPP), falling by 1.36%.

Stock indices closed higher on yesterday's comments by the Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen. She said in a speech at the University of Massachusetts on Thursday that she expects that the Fed will start raising its interest rates by the end of the year, followed by a gradual pace of interest rate hikes.

"Most of my colleagues and I anticipate that it will likely be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate sometime later this year," she said.

Yellen noted that the inflation will rise toward the Fed's 2% target as low oil prices are temporary.

The Fed chairwoman also said that the slowdown in the global economy is not significant not to raise interest rates this year.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Friday. M3 money supply rose 4.8% in August from last year, missing expectations for a 5.3% gain, after a 5.3 % increase in July.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.0% in August from the last year, missing expectations for a 1.1% rise, after a 0.9% gain in July.

French statistical office INSEE released its consumer confidence index for France on Friday. French consumer confidence index climbed to 97 in September from 94 in August. It was the highest level since October 2007.

August's figure was revised up from 93.

Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 94.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,109.01 +147.52 +2.47 %

DAX 9,688.53 +260.89 +2.77 %

CAC 40 4,480.66 +133.42 +3.07 %

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said in a speech on Friday that the Fed should start raising its interest rates.

"A prudent monetary policy based on traditional central banking principles would begin normalizing the committee's policy settings gradually, since the goals of policy have essentially been met," he said.

He added that even the Fed starts raising its interest rates, the monetary policy will remain accommodative.

"For those who still think more accommodation is needed--do not worry! Policy will remain exceptionally accommodative through the medium term no matter how the committee proceeds," he said.

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

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final consumer sentiment index decreased to 87.2 in September from 91.9 in August, up from the preliminary estimate of 85.7 and beating expectations a decrease to 86.7. It was the lowest reading since October 2014.

"Consumers now believe that that global economic trends can directly influence their own job and wage prospects," the Surveys of Consumers chief economist at the University of Michigan Richard Curtin.

The current economic conditions index declined to 101.2 in September from 105.1 in August, up from a preliminary reading of 100.3.

The index of consumer expectations fell to 78.2 in September from 83.4 in August, up from a preliminary reading of 76.4.

The inflation expectations for the next year remained unchanged at 2.8% in September.

Major U.S. stock-indexes trading higher on Friday, a day after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she expects interest rates to be raised this year, easing concerns about slowing global growth. Nike's surprisingly strong results in China and data showing that the U.S. economy expanded more than previously estimated in the second quarter added to the positive tone.

Almost all of Dow stocks in positive area (25 of 30). Top looser - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -0.93%). Top gainer - NIKE, Inc. (NKE, +8.73).

Almost all of S&P index sectors also in positive area. Top looser - Conglomerates (-0.0%). Top gainer - Consumer Goods (+1,3%).

At the moment:

Dow 16256.00 +157.00 +0.98%

S&P 500 1933.00 +14.25 +0.74%

Nasdaq 100 4271.75 +25.75 +0.61%

10 Year yield 2,17% +0,05

Oil 45.88 +0.97 +2.16%

Gold 1144.10 -9.70 -0.84%

Markit Economics released its preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.S. on Friday. The U.S. preliminary services purchasing managers' index (PMI) declined to 55.6 in September from 56.1 in August, in line with expectations.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in economic activity.

The decline was driven by a slowdown in new business growth and a drop in input price inflation.

"The survey data point to sustained steady expansion of the US economy at the end of the third quarter, but various warning lights are now flashing brighter, meaning growth may continue to weaken in coming months. Although the surveys suggest the economy expanded at a 2.2% annualised rate in the third quarter, growth slowed in September and could weaken further in coming months," Markit Chief Economist Chris Williamson.

The Bank of England's (BoE) Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said on Friday that risks to U.K. financial stability increased due to a slowdown in the Chinese and emerging market economies, but risks in relation to Greece and the Eurozone declined.

"Overall, the FPC judges that the outlook remains challenging. While the resilience of the financial system has continued to improve, downside risks have risen," the FPC said in its statement.

Sheng Songcheng, head of the survey and statistics department at the People's Bank of China (PBoC), said on Friday that the yuan devaluation and recent capital outflows will be short-term.

He added that China's exchange rate reform was implemented at a good time.

U.S. stock-index futures advanced as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen reassured investors that U.S. economic growth is sturdy enough to withstand turmoil in emerging markets.

Nikkei 17,880.51 +308.68 +1.76%

Hang Seng 21,186.32 +90.34 +0.43%

Shanghai Composite 3,091.81 -50.88 -1.62%

FTSE 6,111.27 +149.78 +2.51%

CAC 4,500.79 +153.55 +3.53%

DAX 9,715.18 +287.54 +3.05%

Crude oil $45.25 (+0.78%)

Gold $1141.10 (-1.18%)

Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said after a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday that the decline in the consumer price inflation was driven by a recent drop in energy costs, noting that "the price trend is on a solid footing".

Kuroda pointed out that consumer prices excluding energy prices rose about 1.1% in August. This figure was released with other official government data today.

Bank of Japan governor said that he and Abe did not discuss the consumer price data.

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

Upgrades:

NIKE (NKE) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Sterne Agee CRT

3M (MMM) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse

Intel (INTC) upgraded to Mkt Perform from Mkt Underperform at JMP Securities

Downgrades:

Caterpillar (CAT) downgraded to Market Perform at William Blair

Other:

Caterpillar (CAT) target lowered to $70 from $84 at RBC Capital Mkts

Caterpillar (CAT) initiated with an Equal Weight at Barclays

Deer & Company (DE) initiated with an Underweight at Barclays

NIKE (NKE) target raised to $120 from $109 at FBR Capital

Coca-Cola (KO) reinstated with a Buy at Deutsche Bank

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) target lowered to $14 from $16 at RBC Capital Mkts

The U.S. Commerce Department released gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Wednesday. The U.S. final GDP soared 3.9% in the second quarter, up from the revised estimate of a 3.7% growth, after a 0.2% decline in the first quarter.

The upward revision was partly driven by an upward revision to consumer spending and business investment.

Consumer spending rose by 3.6% in the second quarter, up from the previous estimate of a 3.1% increase.

Business investment jumped by 6.2% in the second quarter, up from the previous estimate of a 3.1% gain.

The Italian statistical office ISTAT released its consumer confidence index for Italy on Friday. Contractual wages and salaries in Italy were flat in August, after a 0.1% rise in July.

On a yearly basis, contractual wages and salaries increased 1.2% in August, after a 1.2% gain in July.

Contractual wages and salaries in the private sector jumped 1.7% in August, while wages in the public sector remained flat.

Stock indices traded higher on yesterday's comments by the Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen. She said in a speech at the University of Massachusetts on Thursday that she expects that the Fed will start raising its interest rates by the end of the year, followed by a gradual pace of interest rate hikes.

"Most of my colleagues and I anticipate that it will likely be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate sometime later this year," she said.

Yellen noted that the inflation will rise toward the Fed's 2% target as low oil prices are temporary.

The Fed chairwoman also said that the slowdown in the global economy is not significant not to raise interest rates this year.

Meanwhile, the economic data from the Eurozone was mixed. The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Friday. M3 money supply rose 4.8% in August from last year, missing expectations for a 5.3% gain, after a 5.3 % increase in July.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.0% in August from the last year, missing expectations for a 1.1% rise, after a 0.9% gain in July.

French statistical office INSEE released its consumer confidence index for France on Friday. French consumer confidence index climbed to 97 in September from 94 in August. It was the highest level since October 2007.

August's figure was revised up from 93.

Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 94.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,106.74 +145.25 +2.44 %

DAX 9,708.25 +280.61 +2.98 %

CAC 40 4,498.58 +151.34 +3.48 %

Japan's Cabinet Office downgraded its growth outlook on Friday. It said that the country's economy continued to recover moderately, but added "slowness can be seen in some areas". These areas are private consumption and exports.

"The economy's undercurrent continues to recover moderately and factors to strengthen the move are being put into place," Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari said.

The government said that there are downside risks to the outlook such as the slowdown in emerging Asian economies and the process of normalizing monetary policy in the U.S.

The government pointed out that it will closely monitor fluctuations in the financial and capital markets.

It was the first downward revision since October 2014.

The Spanish statistical office INE released its producer price index (PPI) data for Spain on Friday. The Spanish producer prices dropped 1.7% in August, after a 0.1% decrease in July. It was the first decline in seven months.

On a yearly basis, producer price inflation in Spain fell 2.2% in August, after a 1.3% decline in July. Producer prices have been declining since July 2014.

Producer prices excluding energy climbed 0.6% year-on-year in August, after a 0.6% rise in July.

Energy prices dropped 9.8% year-on-year in August.

French statistical office INSEE released its consumer confidence index for France on Friday. French consumer confidence index climbed to 97 in September from 94 in August. It was the highest level since October 2007.

August's figure was revised up from 93.

Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 94.

The index of the outlook on consumers' saving capacity rose to -2 in September from -11 in August.

The index of households' assessment of their financial situation in the past twelve months was up to -26 in September from -28 in August.

The index of the outlook on consumers' financial situation increased to -8 in September from -11 in August.

The index of the outlook on unemployment rising in coming months fell to 45 in September from 51 in the previous month.

The index for future inflation expectations dropped to -41 in September from -37 in August.

The European Central Bank (ECB) released its M3 money supply figures on Friday. M3 money supply rose 4.8% in August from last year, missing expectations for a 5.3% gain, after a 5.3 % increase in July.

Loans to the private sector in the Eurozone climbed 1.0% in August from the last year, missing expectations for a 1.1% rise, after a 0.9% gain in July.

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released its inflation data on late Thursday evening. Japan's national consumer price index (CPI) remained unchanged at an annual rate of 0.2% in August.

Japan's national CPI excluding fresh food declined to an annual rate of -0.1% in August from 0.0% in July, in line with expectations.

The decline was driven by fuel prices and communication prices. Fuel prices dropped 5.9% year-on-year in August, while communication prices declined 2.7%.

The Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said in a speech at the University of Massachusetts on Thursday that she expects that the Fed will start raising its interest rates by the end of the year, followed by a gradual pace of interest rate hikes.

"Most of my colleagues and I anticipate that it will likely be appropriate to raise the target range for the federal funds rate sometime later this year," she said.

Yellen noted that the inflation will rise toward the Fed's 2% target as low oil prices are temporary.

The Fed chairwoman also said that the slowdown in the global economy is not significant not to raise interest rates this year.

Yellen pointed out that the decision to raise interest rates will depend on further progress toward achieving full employment and a rise in the inflation toward the 2% target.

The French labour ministry said on Thursday that the number of registered job seekers without any employment activity rose 0.6% in August, after a 0.1% decline in July.

The total number of partial or fully unemployed was 3.57 million people.

The total number of the long-term unemployed increased by 0.8% to 2.4 million people in August.

The unemployment in France remains at high levels since French President Francois Hollande took office in 2012. The French government is struggling to bring down unemployment.

Statistics Canada released its average weekly earnings data of Canadian non-farm payroll employees on Thursday. Average weekly earnings of Canadian non-farm payroll employees increased 1.6% in July year-on-year.

Weekly earnings rose C$957 in July from C$954 a year earlier.

The increase was driven by wage growth, changes in the composition of employment by industry, occupation, level of job experience and average hours worked per week.

Employees in Canada worked an average 33.0 hours per week in July, unchanged from both the previous month and from the same month a year earlier.

Total non-farm employment climbed by 38,200 month-on-month in July.

U.S. stock indices declined on Thursday ahead of Fed Chair Janet Yellen's speech. Stocks managed to rebound partly from their declines, but general lack of confidence prevented investors from buying crashed stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 78.57 points, or 0.5%, to 16201.32. The S&P 500 declined 6.52, or 0.3%, to 1932.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 18.27, or 0.4%, to 4734.48.

Caterpillar shares (a Dow component) fell $4.40, or 6.3%, to $65.80 after the company said it would cut 10,000 jobs by the end of 2018.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.47%, or 98.77 points, to 20,997.21. China Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.76%, or 55.36 point, to 3,087.32. The Nikkei gained 0.82%, or 143.33, to 17,715.16.

Asian stocks outside Japan fell amid declines in U.S. equities and uncertainty over prospects of Federal Reserve's rates. Yellen said on Thursday that a rate hike by the end of 2015 is likely, although low inflation justifies low rates for now.

Japanese stocks rose after Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said he discussed domestic and global economy with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Company reported Q1 profit of $1.34 per share versus $1.19 consensus. Revenues rose 5.5% y/y to $8.41 bln versus $8.22 bln consensus.

Yesterday NKE fell to $114.79 (-0.55%).

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

Nikkei 225 17,571.83 -498.38 -2.76 %

Hang Seng 21,095.98 -206.93 -0.97 %

S&P/ASX 200 5,071.67+73. 53 +1.47 %

Shanghai Composite 3,143.58 +27.69 +0.89 %

FTSE 100 5,961.49 -70.75 -1.17 %

CAC 40 4,347.24 -85.59 -1.93 %

Xetra DAX 9,427.64 -184.98 -1.92 %

S&P 500 1,932.24 -6.52 -0.34 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,734.48 -18.26 -0.38 %

Dow Jones 16,201.32 -78.57 -0.48 %