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US Stocks Higher VOA News 31 Jan 2002 13:20 UTC 
U.S. stocks are higher in early trading amid optimism the nearly year-long recession in the world's largest economy may be coming to an end.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 32 points at 9,795, while the broad market indicator, the S&P 500, is up three points at 1,117. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index is nine points higher at 1,922.
A government report Thursday showed personal income rose for the first time in four months. On Wednesday, a report showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly grew, although slightly, in the fourth quarter of last year. Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve, in deciding not to lower interest rates again, indicated the economy is starting to rebound.
In London, the Financial Times Index is up 79 points (1.5 percent) at 5,168, while in Paris the CAC 40 Index is up 60 points (more than one percent) at 4,467. The Dax Index in Frankfurt is 51 points (one percent) higher at 5,104.
Earlier in Tokyo, the Nikkei Index rose 78 points to close at 9,998, while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index lost 32 points to end the day at 10,725.
The price of gold in London is $281.55 an ounce - up $3.30.
The dollar is mixed against the other major currencies.
Some information for this report provided by Bloomberg.
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