Fed minutes boost US markets as Wall Street closes higher

new York Positive statements on US monetary policy give Wall Street a boost. In addition, hopes for a growth spurt in trading partner China and encouraging business figures from electronics group Samsung brightened the mood on Thursday. The US standard value index Dow Jones closed 1.1 percent higher at 31,384 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 2.3 percent to 11,621 points. The broad S&P 500 gained 1.5 percent to 3902 points.

In the minutes of the most recent meeting for the end of July, which were published on Wednesday, the Fed signaled a further interest rate hike of half a percentage point or three-quarters of a percentage point. This is a relief for investors, as some central bankers had raised the matter by a full percentage point, said stock trader Dennis Dick of brokerage house Bright Trading.