Stocks Gain, Treasury Yields Jump as US Retail Data Reassures

STOCK MARKET - NEW YORK. World stocks rose on Thursday and Treasury yields spiked after surprisingly strong U.S. retail sales data soothed fears about slowing economic growth, and tempered investor bets of imminent aggressive interest rate cuts.

Retail sales increased 1.0% last month, well above market forecasts for a 0.3% gain, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Thursday, suggesting that consumers have maintained spending by bargain hunting.