OREANDA-NEWS. December 16, 2011. The US indices rose on Thursday as economic data were positive, indicating the improved stance of the US economic recovery. S&P 500 Index added 0.32% while Russell was up by 1.07% with Utilities (+1.3%) and Healthcare as the leaders.

Producer prices rose 0.3% vs consensus forecast of a 0.2% rise.

Empire State Manufacturing Index rose to 9.53 in December vs consensus forecast of 3.Initial jobless claims declined to 366K vs consensus of 390K in a week. Industrial Production declined 0.2% in November vs consensus forecast of a 0.3% rise.Philly Fed Manufacturing Index increased to 10.3 vs consensus forecast of 5.0.Asian indices rose on Friday. Hang Seng jumped 1.25%. Japanese Nikkei added 0.29%, Korean Kospi -  1.15%. S&P/ASX 200 added 0.47%. Shanghai stock indices jumped by 3% on rumors that pension funds money may be used to prop up the Chinese stock market.

Trade data in Europe, US Consumer Prices will be in focus today.